VW e-UP! - price, specs, tech, design and pictures of the electric city car
The first version of the VW e-UP!, the electric version of the popular UP!, has arrived in the UK.
It's a clever city car which is compact, efficient and exempt from the new car tax laws which come in to force from April 1st.
Powering the e-UP! is a 60kW electric motor, which achieves a claimed 99 mile range and a top speed of 80mph.
This motor and the 210Nm of torque it produces will see the car accelerate from 0-62mph to 12.4 seconds.
Providing that you live in a city and have off the road parking, then the e-UP!'s range should be more than sufficient to cart you around for a number of days.
Battery range is a point of contention for anyone looking to buy an electric car.
Electric cars are suited for city life, especially in cities like London where they're also exempt from congestion charge and supported by a growing charger network.
The car's battery can be fully charged from a standard household plug in nine hours, which can be reduced to six hours if a 3.6kWh wall box for the home garage is purchased.
A fast charging cable can also be purchased which will charge the car's battery up by 80 per cent in just 30 minutes.
VW has fitted the 204 cell battery underneath the front and rear seats, to allow more space in the boot.
The battery comes with an eight-year or 99,360 mile guarantee.
Its styling has also been updated with the new C-shape LED daytime running light signature, blue and chrome strip below the bonnet lip, echoing the iconic GTI and hybrid Golf GTE and Passat GTE.
Inside the car, is a smartphone activated infotainment system.
The driver's phone is clicked into the infotainment dock and then the 'VW Maps and More' app is selected which allows access to the car's navigation, hands-free Bluetooth calling and battery and consumption information.
Additional anti-lock braking, electric front windows, Composition radio, power steering and 15-inch Tezzle alloys are all standard features.
It is, however, a bit on the pricey side. You'll have to fork out £25,280 before the government's plug-in Car Grant of £4,500.
