WOLFSBURG: Two models take centre stage for the Volkswagen brand at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show.
The new edition of the up! city car will soon be appearing on the market with a new engine option, a variety of extras and improved smartphone integration. Another car is a concept that is styles as a trendy, affordable SUV.
A number of up! models will be appearing – three equipment lines, a cross-version and the spacious, 2-seater load up! – as well as new exterior colours, seat fabrics, dashpads and decorative decal designs which give each up! its own personality.
Every version of the up! presented will come with new headlights (with LED daytime running lights as standard), new bumpers, a prominent rear diffuser, newly designed tail lights, and new exterior mirror housings with integrated indicator lights.
Another new feature is the smartphone integration which now allows access to navigation, music and vehicle data when used with the Volkswagen app. In addition, Volkswagen throws into the mix the up! beats, blended by US audio specialists BeatsAudio and boasting a 300-watt sound system.
With an expanded choice of petrol engines (now also including a turbocharged 90 PS 1.0 TSI), efficient natural gas or innovative electric power units – the new up! a good variety in drive units. The maximum torque of 160Nm is available from 1,500 rpm. The three-cylinder engine is the first turbo for the up! and the most powerful motor available in the model to date.
The concept car, meanwhile, can be seen as the start of a broad SUV offensive. With the concept expected to be named the T-Cross, Volkswagen will offer its perspective on a new model series and the future production model.
Its operating concept features minimal switches, creating a conceptual bridge to the BUDD-e, which captured the imagination of an international audience at the CES in Las Vegas last month.
With the growing popularity of SUVs/crossovers, Volkswagen hopes to cash in on the trend. It now only offers the full-size Touareg and Golf-based Tiguan in this segment.
A teaser shot of the new VW SUV concept, which could be called the T-Cross.
Keyword: VW revises up! city car, new concept SUV to show up