Volkswagen Up test drive! 3 doors since 2012 Hatchback

Volkswagen Up! Conquer Europe!

The news releases did not promise anything good: an unprecedented thunderstorm with rain arranged a real flood in Rome. On TV, shots with floating cars and a closed subway were shown. But we definitely needed to get to the eternal city the very next day. Where, if not in the capital of Italy, to test one of the most important innovations of the year in the most compact segment of cars? Namely Volkswagen Up!


Volkswagen Up! Small than Fox, but a little larger than his ideological ancestor Lupo. The length of up! 3540 mm (+16 mm with respect to LUPO), width without accounting for mirrors 1641 mm (+ 1 mm), height 1478 mm (+ 21 mm). VOLKSWAGEN UP wheeled base! And completely record for the segment A 2420 mm. Dry mass of the basic modification Take Up! 929 kg

The fry in the Volkswagen gamut was already, for example, the Lupo hatchback, which debuted in 1998. Lupo lasted on the conveyor until 2005. And then what? Nothing! For two years, the Germans were in search (temporary measure in the form of a Latin American budget model Fox is not taken into account) and in 2007 they rolled out a curious UP concept car! (The name is written that way). The production of a machine was considered a deed to do not ignore the class so popular in the Old World, whose share in the market is now growing an impressive pace.


Volkswagen Up! Already sold in Germany, and to the rest of Europe will be reached in December

But the concept of up! He was too far from reality. Inflatable seats, a bunch of electronic gaming and, attention, the opposition engine behind. Like a classic beetle! It is not surprising that the APA had to wait for the serial version for four years. Presented serial UP! At the Frankfurt car dealership a little more than a month ago. Naturally, the motor was in the usual place and set the front wheels. The chairs, of course, were also ordinary. But Volkswagen did not limit himself to a three -door: a five -door off -road modification of Cross Up was also shown on the stand! With an enlarged clearance that will complement the production program in the future.

Unlike technology, outwardly Volkswagen Up! Not much different from the prototype details and nothing more. And now the line of white, black and red apov meets us in Rome. Surprisingly, nature quickly replaced anger to mercy (although, according to the news, the element went to rage to the north of the Italian boot) on the Sun and plus 20 Celsius. Great weather for close acquaintance! And no traces of yesterday's cataclysms.


Serial Volkswagen Up! It differs from the concept of the same name only with small details. For example, wheel discs (in the base of Up! It is curious that instead of the stated tires with reduced rolling resistance on all machines stood normal tires of Continental ContipremiumContact 2. True, there were no cars with 14-inch wheels on the test

I pull the door of the red hatchback by the handle of the door and fall into the kingdom of Volkswagen. A characteristic front panel, air conditioning control unit and head lighting, steering wheel levers, buttons, lateral mirrors are all familiar with many models of the concern. The glossy insert is designed to revive the salon in the color of the body, but there was no ordinary light (and hard) plastic on our car. So the mood was asked only by the instrument shield with a huge speedometer. But the lack of adjustment of the steering wheel puzzled.

While up! Available with a single gasoline engine of 1.0 liters. The difference is only in the power of 60 and 75 horses. To begin with, my colleague and I chose a 60-horsepower UP! The turning of the key and the body went on a characteristic vibration. And although Volkswagen claims that engineers paid a lot of attention to the supports of the power unit, and the UP engine! It is the lightest in the classroom, there is no getting away from the design features. Three cylinders! But our thoughts were interrupted by an elderly Italian at the old Fiat 500, who rolled the back and expressed his anger through a horn. Go!


Inside UP! Compilation from many models Volkswagen. Attention is attracted only by the five -inch display of the MAPS+MORE of Navigon. A sensory device is noteworthy by the fact that it can ... remove it from the car and use it as a regular mobile navigator. And, being connected to the on-board network, it serves as a multimedia system and knows how to connect with the phone through the Bluetooth protocol and play music and video files with SD cards with a capacity of up to 32 GB. Of course, on the color display you can view photos. Integration into the standard network is deep if the light lights light up on the low level of fuel, navigation will immediately offer a list of the nearest gas stations. In addition, tips for economical driving and fuel consumption diagrams can be displayed on the screen. We did not try to save, so instead of passports 4.5 l/100 km, we got at least 4.8. This option costs from 355 to 830 euros such a significant difference is explained by the presence of certain functions (in the Navigon database it is integrated only with music. In the presence of rear parking sensors (it is as an option!) Its indications are also displayed on the screen.
Pay attention to the mirror control unit and ... glass lifting. Yes, yes, there is only one key. To open the glass of the passenger door from the driver's seat, you will have to stretch through the entire salon

On the go UP! Not at all toy. In parking modes, the steering wheel is almost weightless, and an electric power is used in the movement here. Conducted a clear clutch, otherwise many of the concern’s models of the left pedal are too large. There are no special claims and the drive is a little viscous to the gearbox, but there are no problems with the inclusion of the problems. You can only complain about the not very well -tangible right front size. And the brakes alerted. Everything is good in traffic jams and the city, but if you slow down at speeds above 60 km/h, then the leg seems to be resting at something, the pedal suddenly turns out to be stronger than you expect. It seems that an amplifier of the brakes of a new design, the efficiency of which depends on the strength and sharpness of pressing, will require habit.


For Volkswagen Up! Three ordinary equipment levels Take Up!, Move Up! And High Up! And designer Black Up! And White Up! In the photo, various options for the interior decoration

And even with such a modest herd under the hood UP! It turned out to be unexpectedly nimble. In a crazy urban movement, Rome in this regard is no better than Moscow Volkswagen Kolobok is at ease. It easily breaks down and calmly fits into a multi -colored stream of small -sized. Moreover, for this it is not necessary to frantically work as a gearbox lever, here is a quite adult gear row. On the motorway, the second gear was checked on a cutting of almost 100 km/h.


The front seats are convenient, and the driver also has an height adjustment. It is a pity that the angle of inclination of the back changes stepped. It’s also real to climb back, and there is not so little space, as it might seem outside. Two people of medium height will be quite comfortable
Pulls the motor and really excellently. At the highest stage UP! It is accelerated even with 50-60 km/h, albeit slowly, slowly. Of course, this is provided that the road does not rise uphill then will have to switch to low ones. But legal 130 km/h on the UP highway! Gains without excessive efforts. In general, we recognize for the urban machine the features of a liter engine. But this is a 60-horsepower version!


The trunk is also available here. Its volume (251 l) can be increased to 951 liters, folding the rear seats. And if you pay for the folding back of the front chair, you can transport items up to 2 meters long. The cargo compartment has a double floor
The second point that really surprised in Ape inside is very quiet for a car of this class. Only the characteristic rumble of the motor is listening, and even he becomes obsessive only when accelerations to the floor at high speeds. And the suspension, which goes to nuts on uneven Roman roads and paving stones, does not annoy with loaf and clang. And in those short moments that managed to disperse Up! up to 120-130 km/h, I noted a low level of aerodynamic noise. Booking! Apparently, it is not for nothing that the Germans declare the coefficient CX 0.32, and this is a good indicator for such a box.


While up! Three cylinders are offered with only one gasoline engine, 999 cubes with a return of 60 and 75 hp. The difference between them lies exclusively in the electronic control unit. Twisting the moment is the same 95 N ∙ m in the range of 3000-4300 rpm. Next year, UP!, Which is powered by gas (68 hp) will enter the market. And in a more distant perspective E-UP! With an electric motor and even charged GT-up! Diesels are not planned yet.
All up! They are equipped with a five -speed manual transmission, but a robotic box with one clutch (also five -speed) is available for the surcharge. The mass of the units is small: the mechanics weighs 25 kg, the robot is 5 kg more. But on the test, exclusively cars from the manual transmission were available.
There was no on the test and the UP version! Bluemotion with a start-stop system and recharging a battery during braking. Such up! should consume 4.2 l/100 km instead of 4.5 for other modifications

Later, I changed the red hatchback to the white with a more powerful engine, but did not feel the difference, because the route of the second part of the program no longer included speed tracks, and in the city the character of both cars is the same. I looked into the characteristics of the peak power of 75 horsepower, the engine comes out at 6200 rpm against 5000 in the 60-horsepower version. The torque is completely the same. So the whole increase is exclusively at the top.


After a red car with a 60-horsepower engine, I got a 75-horsepower White Up! Of the external differences, in addition to white, stylish 16-inch (!) Disks and chrome hulls of lateral mirrors. But the price on White Up! solid: a well -equipped car costs 13,700 euros (surcharge for a more powerful engine is another 600 euros)

I mentioned the route not by chance, the organizers laid it through the center of Rome. To admire the Coliseum, the Wittoriano monument and other attractions we were able to fully traffic jams! And only then I noticed that Up! It causes genuine curiosity among the Italians look inside, turn around. Surprisingly, they have Fiat 500 folk favorite. Well, in Italy, the segment of the segment is 20% of the car park. And you won’t be full of fiates.

On the close city streets of Volkswagen Up! Like a fish in water. Modest dimensions facilitate parking, and a small radius of turning help in maneuvering
Moreover, the Germans prepared for the struggle not only with the five hundred or Renault Twingo, but also with the successful Trio of the Gemini Citroen C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo. For a common with UP! The aggregate base has already been created by Seat MII and Skoda Citigo. They will be produced at the same factory in a nearby Bratislava (Slovakia) city and will go on sale in Europe by the end of this year. Including, naturally, Volkswagen Up! In general, the plans are grandiose.


Two main competitors are nearby. It is clearly visible that the creators of Up! We followed the path of functionality, the almost cubic form made it possible to increase the volume of the trunk and the place for the rear passengers

But will they be justified? Volkswagen emit optimism. For them up! Not just a small machine. This is a brand designed to emphasize the individuality of the owner. Therefore, they not only made several options for the UP! In support, a whole line of accessories is launched, including clothes and small utensils. The Germans want to make up! icon brand. The same as a beetle or golf at one time.


Torsten Richter, interior designer Up!, On the example of the gas modification Eco-up! He talked about the novelty and shared rainbow prospects. Circus with liquefied natural gas are under the bottom of their capacity of 72 liters. Plus there is a reserve 10-liter gas for gasoline
And they have every chance! Prices for Volkswagen Up! In Germany, they start with 9,850 euros. Expensive? Do not rush with conclusions. Renault Twingo costs from 9,990 euros, Citroen C1 from 10 090 euros, Fiat 500 from 11,400 euros, and to become the owner of Toyota IQ, you need to lay out at least 12 050 euros. Moreover, Gamma Up! It will only expand next year will also appear a modification that is fed by liquefied natural gas. Carbon dioxide emissions in it are only 79 g/km, and this is an important indicator for Europeans. Speaking of buyers. Who are they? According to Volkswagen marketers, at least half of UP! Young people and elderly people will buy. The first is the first thing is important, and the second category will attract low maintenance costs and interesting financial programs in the markets.


Light on UP! I do not want to squeak the tires too early in the bends (and what will happen on the ecologic ones mentioned?). Yes, and fast up! Exclusively at city speeds (adjusted to Western Europe). The 60-horsepower modification accelerates to hundreds in 14.4 seconds and reaches 160 km/h. Indicators of a more powerful APA: 13.2 s and 171 km/h, respectively

But can you imagine that in Russia it became fashionable to ride a 60-horsepower hatchback 3.5 meters long? A purchase of a car for 10 thousand euros for a pensioner is an actually unbearable task. In addition, the Volkswagen Polo sedan will cost a similar amount. With a 1.6 engine, a full -fledged trunk, an enlarged clearance and a normal rear sofa in endless Russian expanses, this is still much more appreciated than ease of use in the city or low taxes (we have no ecological component at all). Therefore, the decision on the supply of UP! It has not yet been accepted to our market. There are rumors that the concern will feel the soil with Skoda Citigo (it is cheaper). So or not, we will find out not earlier than mid -2012. In the meantime, let's see if UP will win! Europe.

Safety


Already in the basic configuration in the German market Volkswagen Up! has four airbags and ESP system


There is another interesting system available for surcharge. This is City Emergency Bracking. A laser sensor is placed under the windshield, which scans the space in front at a distance of up to 10 meters. If the system understands that the driver does not take any action to stop or go around the obstacle, it uses emergency braking until a complete stop. The assistant works in the speed range from 5 to 30 km/h and does not respond if the driver turns the steering wheel or presses the brake or clutch pedals. On cars of this class, this system appeared for the first time! We did not check it in the city, but on a special platform with an inflatable Ap, we have fun

Technique


Volkswagen Up! Built on the new MQB modular platform, the components of which will further be used in larger models of the concern. The suspension scheme is traditional for compact machines. In front - racks Mcpherson, behind - half -dependent beam

Vadim Gagarin
Photo by the author and company Volkswagen

 

Source: Auto.mail.ru