Volkswagen up! drive in South Africa 2015
What is it?
Volkswagen up! is the company’s smallest, cheapest and with Polo Vivo GT out the picture, also the only two-door model on sale. A perennial sight in Europe, the up! replaces the Vivo as the first contact point for many a VW owner – exceed expectations here and the brand stands a good chance of retaining them.
What’s it like?
More fun and youthful than the stern VW Vivo but quintessentially still a Volkswagen. Distinctive European flavour echoed by the small grille, large headlights and rounded profile. A car that smiles at everything…the front bumper resembles one.
For the moment Volkswagen up! comes as a two-door style but space is cleverly optimized; the 251 litre boot can hold more than just some light baggage and up front there’s ample amounts of headroom and visibility. The same can’t be said of the rear seating which is arguably why the Vivo needn’t feel threatened by the new upstart.
The 1.0-litres acid test will come when we drive it up at Reef where the turbo models are expected to have the edge but down at the coast it rolled all 929kg along with a determined and gritty stride. Those still reluctant to put their faith and money into complex turbo engines will rejoice, although there’s still a fair amount of technology that exists under the hood to yield 4.7l/100km and non-payable carbon tax.
The engine is liveliest between 4000rpm and peak power of 6200rpm and for that to happen you’ll need to hang onto gears in the five-speed box – no automatic – for what feels like a very long time. Although devastating for consumption driving the Volkswagen up! in this way will stir all 55kW and 95Nm to reach 100km/h in 13.2 seconds. Top speed is 171km/h.
As for build quality, the Volkswagen up! appears durable and the ride and handling weighted with expected standards of confidence; this extends through the steering, gearbox and brakes – the latter equipped with ABS. Dual airbags are standard across both models. The Volkswagen up! is not afraid to mix in some long distance travel.
Where the Volkswagen up! begins to show signs of age is in the list of standard equipment. There’s no Bluetooth as standard and no USB. Those will come with the facelift. There are also no steering controls. If you want cruise control, multifunction computer and parking sensors you’ll need to specify the Driver’s Package while a less popular Winter’s Package includes heated seats and fogs.
Differences between the (price) Take up! and Move up! can be found in the colour coding of wing mirrors, electric windows, better sound system with MP3 and greater adjustment for the seat.
Should I buy one?
The Volkswagen up! will need to capitalize fast on its cute looks and infinite (albeit grammar-breaking) marketing slogans if it is to come close to receiving the same popularity of the Vivo which offers more space, more doors, a stronger engine and even some modcons. In some instances it’s evident that the product has arrived to our market already behind; features so crucial to this segment like App pairing and unique customization are missing from the package and the engine occupies a dormant sector between 1.2-litre and 1.0-litre turbo.
Pricing Volkswagen up!
1.0 MPI Take up! R133 500
1.0 MPI Move up! R140 500
*Service plan is optional
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