The long-awaited Volkswagen up! has been unveiled in SA, making it the new entry-level vehicle in the brand’s lineup to sit below the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Polo, which have been the top two best-selling passenger models in South Africa since 2010.

Affordable new city car

Volkswagen promises its new compact city car is set to deliver as much roominess as possible measuring 3.54 meters long, 1.64 m wide and 1.48 m tall with a wheelbase of 2.42 m. Boot space is 251 litres while total cargo space (with the rear seats down) is a decent 951 litres.

Base on a new platform, the up! will be available locally in two three-door versions – the Take up! And Move up! Both derivatives are powered by a one-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 55kW and 95 Nm of torque, and which drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed to sit at 4.7-litres/100km.

Volkswagen Take up!

Key features of the Take up! include ABS anti-lock brakes with Hydraulic Brake Assist, driver and front passenger airbags (plus front side head/thorax airbags), two rear three-point seatbelts and height-adjustable head restraints, warning buzzer for front and rear seats if belt unfastened.

The model also comes with ISOFIX fixtures and top-tether fittings for mounting suitable child seats in the rear, height adjustable steering wheel, manually adjustable door mirrors, manual air conditioner, daytime running lights, rear windscreen wiper, two rear seats with one-piece folding backrest, and 14-inch steel wheels with 165/70 R14 tyres.

Volkswagen Move up!

In addition to the features found in the Take up! , the Move up! is highlighted by front electric windows, remote central locking, a two-speaker CD/MP3 audio system, electrically-adjustable and heated mirrors as well as height-adjustable front seats that also slide to offer easy access to the rear compartment. The car is additionally fitted with body-coloured mirrors and door handles and both models (while fitted with 14-inch steel wheels) can be optionally fitted with 15-inch alloys.

Volkswagen up! price in South Africa

Volkswagen 1.0 MPI Take up! (55kW) – R133 500

Volkswagen 1.0 MPI Move up! (55kW) – R140 500

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.

We’ll be at the South African launch of the Volkswagen up! later this week. Look out for the first drive story of Volkswagen’s cheapest car in SA.