VW’s Smart rival is In the picture

By Jack Rix

08th February 2010

Volkswagen is joining the ‘In’ crowd with an all-new micro-car concept. Named the In, it’s a creation from a team of interns at the company’s design studios in Brazil.

The conceptual study is the work of Kauré Martins, Rogério Okabe, Guilherme Motta and Wadson Gomes Amorim – winners of a VW design competition back in 2008. The In’s styling was developed through 2009, and the clay model you see here is the result.

Aimed at the Smart ForTwo, it features space for two passengers with a small luggage compartment behind the seats. This is an identical package to the Smart, despite measuring 22cm less in length.

Inspiration came from such concepts as Peugeot’s BB1 and Renault’s Twizy, as well as VW’s forthcoming 3+1 city car, the up! Engine proposals include several two-cylinder petrol units in a variety of configurations, all mounted in the rear, plus an all-electric variant with four in-wheel motors. However, VW currently has no plans to put the In into production.

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