SA finally gets the up! in a deserving range

The new Volkswagen up! has arrived in South Africa with restyled colours and wheels, new interior design and additional comfort features.

From the front, the chic VW up! sports a new design in its headlights with the addition of LED daytime running lights, a modified bumper and a wider stance. From the side the up! wears new wing mirrors and wheels.  And from the back redesigned rear lights and a rear diffuser.

Inside a leather multi-function steering wheel and gear knob are now standard. The dashboard styling is constructed through the use of printed surfaces and newly available ambient lighting accentuates the exclusive interior. The infotainment system has also been redesigned with a 3.1-inch screen in the Take up! with the higher models getting the better 5-inch screen with USB and Bluetooth.

Under the bonnet, Volkswagen has retained the perky 1.0 litre, three-cylinder engine that produces a power output of 55kW and a maximum torque figure of 95Nm allowing it to dash from standstill to 100km/h in 13.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 173 km/h.

Heading into 2017 Volkswagen up! is offered in four equipment levels: Take up!, Move up! up! Beats and Cross up! each attain a host of new features fitted as standard that vary according to equipment level. The up! Beats comprises an amplifier, six high-end speakers and a sub-woofer to soothing vibrations through the cabin.

With the new up! comes fun individualisation; add a personal touch with a number of extras and eight new colours – Candy white, Pure White, Teal Blue, Honey Yellow Metallic, Tornado Red, Dark Silver Metallic, Edelweiss Metallic and Deep Black Pearlescent.

While the competition overlooks certain safety features, Volkswagen SA has admirably not compromised as all models come with four airbags, ABS and Electronic Stability Control

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

Price (including VAT):

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, 12 year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000 km service intervals.