Four years after VW showed us its Up concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the marque is putting its entry-level hatchback into production. Unlike the original concept, the production Up (the 'up!' in VW speak) will have a more conventional front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout as opposed to the rear-engined, rear-drive of the concept. Two 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines will initially be available, either in 59bhp/56mpg or 74bhp/54.6mpg form. There are two transmission options available too, the standard five-speed manual or a clutchless six-speed automatic. Thanks to Volkswagen’s BlueMotion technology both versions boast sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, meaning the Up will be both tax and congestion charge exempt. Available in European showrooms in December 2011, prices are expected to start at around £8000, a good chunk cheaper than the £9995 price tag of an entry-level Polo.
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