New Volkswagen Up! adds more sportier look

The Up! is VW’s smallest new car and an altogether more serious stab at building a proper city car that I’d actually want to buy. Volkswagen has taken its creation very seriously and, remarkably, intends this to be its biggest-selling model globally.

For the 2016 model year, the Up! appears to be wider and more mature than the model it replaces with the introduction of more sportier, colourful and extra design cues for our market.

Offered in four equipment levels, Take Up!, Move Up! Up! beats and Cross Up! The new model comes equipped with LED daytime running lights, modified bumper with redesigned front trim strips and a more contoured bonnet.

The exterior of the car gains 16-inch wheels and wing mirrors with integrated indicators that dominate the side view. The redesigned rear lights and distinctive rear diffuser create a rounded finish.

Step inside; leather multifunction steering and gear knob are now standard from Move Up!

Volkswagen is using printed surfaces for the dashboard styling panel manufactured using the in-mould-labelling process (IML). The newly available ambient lighting underlines the exclusive look of the interior.

In terms of engine, Volkswagen retains the three-pot 1.0 litre capable of producing 55kW and 95Nm of torque. The maximum torque of 95Nm is reached at 3 000 rpm. Ninety percent of maximum torque is reached between 2 000 and 6 000 rpm, ensuring agile performance.

The Up! reaches 100 km/h from a stop in just 13.5 seconds before maxing out at 173 km/h. Volkswagen claims a combined fuel consumption of 4.6 litres per 100km.

The new Up! has your safety rest assured as all derivatives come standard with raft of safety features, including ABS and four airbags, Electronic Stability Control.

BeatsAudio sound system

After the introduction of the Volkswagen Polo Beats, the new up! is the second Volkswagen model to be offered with the BeatsAudio sound system. The 300-watt system comprises an amplifier, six high-end speakers and a separate subwoofer for a concert hall feeling inside the car.

The Up! beats differentiates itself from other derivatives by its newly designed ‘Radial’15-inch alloy wheels, beats design decals as well as contrasting wing mirrors.

The Volkswagen up! is available in eight colours, namely Candy White, Pure White, Teal Blue, Honey Yellow Metallic, Tornado Red, Dark Silver Metallic, Edelweiss Metallic and Deep Black Pearlescent.

The Cross up and up! beats will be available in the first quarter of 2017.

Retail Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)

1.0 MPI Take Up! (55kW) R164 700

1.0 MPI Move Up! (55kW) R178 300

1.0 MPI Up! beats (55kW) R194 700

1.0 MPI Cross Up! (55kW) R194 700

Volkswagen Up! comes standard with a 3 year/ 120 000 km manufacturer warranty, a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000 km service intervals.