VW Diesel Beetle and Up! EV Headed for U.S.

VW E-Up! Concept

It's good to be green

The CEO of Volkswagen America, Stefan Jacoby, has announced the U.S. will receive an Up! EV and a diesel-powered next-generation Beetle.

While little is known about the Beetle, the Up! EV will likely be a production version of the E-Up! concept. As you may recall, the E-Up! is a pure electric vehicle with lithium-ion batteries. Packing a 60 kW (40 kW continuous) electric motor, the E-Up! accelerates from 0-50 km/h (31 mph) in 3.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph).

If the Up! name sounds familiar, Volkswagen recently unveiled the Up! Lite concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It featured a 0.8-litre two-cylinder TDI engine, with 38 kW (51 hp) and 120 Nm of torque, and a 10 kW (14 hp) electric motor. Boasting a combined output of 48 kW (65 hp), the Up! Lite had an average fuel consumption rating of 2.44 liters per 100km (equivalent to 96.4 mpg).

The Beetle will go on sale in 2012 (the diesel variant will arrive later) and the Up! EV will be launched in 2014.

Note: VW New Beetle artist rendering used for illustrative/entertainment purposes only.

Source: autonews.com (sub req)

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CarFan56

Even though there is a disclaimer, it still stupid that a rendering, especially a poor one, is used as the main picture for an article about actual cars being produced. Why not just used the E-Up! concept picture as the main one? Its not someones pipe dream, its real. Not everyone reads the whole article and disclaimer.

December 8, 2009 8:10 pm

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2 replies

jerry05cod4

tru dat...100% agreed... take that unprofessional wcf

December 8, 2009 8:37 pm

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BrianWCF

"Why not just used the E-Up! concept picture as the main one?" Because everyone who frequents WCF has seen those E-Up photos already, not to mention, those pics are included in the album as a courtesy. I strongly recommend to everyone to read the article in its entirety before making comments. That way you don't say something silly and wastes everyone's time. The 2012 Beetle is indeed mentioned in the article (and title). The rendering is done by Lars Sältzer (aka Larson), one of the best in the industry who does work for several major European and American rags. We never get tired of his work. And lastly, sometimes we just like some photos more than others. I think I'll go slit my wrists now...

December 8, 2009 9:09 pm

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out4ride

Agree with u BrianWCF. Lots of people seem to look at the picture only and think they know it all. My girl has a beetle and a bet she will like to get one with diesel engine since she had a jetta loaner and love it. Brian I have a question for u don't have to answer if u don't feel like too. Do u live in nj by chance?

December 8, 2009 11:48 pm

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nederina

A small diesel engine is a good sign that the next Beetle will go back to basics. The bad news however is it might just be a glorified VW Up! I stressed this many times, the Mitsubishi i - is a brilliant car. It really is the 21st century beetle. I mean look at it, it has a great packaging, sits 4 comfortably with acres of space, rear engine, rear wheel drive and there's even an electric version.

December 9, 2009 12:09 am

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awhk

I thought it is a Fiat 500.

December 9, 2009 2:06 am

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"VW Beetle Up citycar artist rendering / Copyright by Larson" +1 looks like a Fiat. no way VW will do this.

December 9, 2009 6:38 am

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CarFan56

Thats the reason I thought that this picture shouldn't be used as the main one. Although none of us, including me know how the next gen beetle will look I really don't think it will look like this. Renderings should only be used as the main picture if the headline has the word rendering or speculation in it.

December 9, 2009 1:18 pm

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