VW up!

Baby VW’s ace of space

Volkswagen unveils second member of the Up! family at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Dan Strong

24th October 2007

Is this the most exciting new Volkswagen since the original Beetle made its debut in 1938?

Well judging by the crowd that swamped the radical looking Space UP! as the four door city car took a bow at the Tokyo Motor Show, you certainly wouldn’t be against it!

Revealed to an audience that was only bettered in size by the throng that gathered to witness the launch of the new Nissan GT-R, the VW Space UP! is the second instalment in a planned three car family of concepts that pave the way to the production of a range of ultra-efficient small cars.

With its suicide doors and versatile seating layout, the Space UP! shows how VW’s still secret new flat three-cylinder engine and lightweight body first revealed by the original UP! could be designed to offer greater practicality.

There’s space for four adults, plus easy access to the interior, thanks to those wide opening doors. The cabin looks luxurious too, with extras like satellite navigation and air conditioning.

A practical split tailgate design – like that available with the new MINI Clubman - improves access to the rear, although the concepts rear engined layout means the boot floor is comparatively high…

But there’s still time to resolve this. With the unveil of the Space UP! dealt with, the firm is now counting down to the launch of the third and final UP! concept car, which is expected at the Los Angeles Motor Show at the end of November.

Though details about the car remain scarce, Auto Express understands this model will be an efficient SUV, designed to make the most of the car’s robust, wheel in each corner stance.

SEE THE Space UP! in our exclusive video soon…