VW rediscovers the small car with the Up?
 

Added a 5 door to the 3 door:

Five-door up! joins Volkswagen’s new family of ultra-compact city cars

How long will it take for it to gain 500 lbs and a foot or two of length?

It looks decent, but has slightly clunky lines. I think the most damaging thing in cars -- and virtually all manufactured goods these days -- is planned obsolescence and changes for the sake of change; not real improvements.

Have you seen the 2012 Passat ?
It's the size of a Crown Vic !
Remember when the Rabbit/Golf was this size ?
Now its the size the Jetta/Bora is !

Like most american things, VWs tend to get fat in this country.

I must be in a weird mood today.
This car is so small that I visualize one big door on each side hinged at the top.

When closed, aero wise only one door handle protruding, and two less vertical breaks
for the airflow to hit.

Then you turbo w the doors up, and liftoff!!

3dr Up vs Rivals (including George who came last :( )

VW up! vs rivals | Road Test | Auto Express

...a 5-door roller-skate!

Won't happen anytime soon.
Early rumours regarding the 5 door Up! mentioned a 10cm / 4" increase in length.
VW kept it as short as the 3-door though.

VW had the Lupo and Fox before the Up! came about, these were similarly sized but didn't sell as well as their small competitors.

Most cars tend to grow in size, then a new model is introduced below the previously smallest of a marque.


Like the Fiat 500, it'd be hard to sell in the US, but in the hands of hypermilers, this could well be a sub 3L / 80+ mpg car with modest mods.

When they come about, I'll probably be looking at an Up! (or its Skoda Citigo twin) running on CNG as a daily driver.

The only downside is the Up! is apparently not allowed to tow anything. :(

Bringing back an old thread - had a go in the cheaper brother of Up! - the Skoda Citigo the other week.

The plus points with this car where that it was quieter, more grown up than an Aygo, that funny display thing in the dash looks good but the SG2 would be nicer. Chain cam so no belts to break. Nice looking, slightly more space inside.

The big bad point is the engine in the standard one - its 999cc with 60ps, George has 998cc with 70ps. There is a 75ps Citigo but apart from top speed (3 mph faster than George) it is just about the same in terms of go.

Maybe they can name that one the "UP , UP and AWAY!":D

Peter