VOLKSWAGEN’S e-Up represents an important milestone for Germany’s mightiest car maker.
It’s not, as the name might suggest, a special model to be sold only in Yorkshire – rather it is Volkswagen’s first all-electric car, shown this week at a conference for investors in Germany.
The public will get their first chance to see the e-Up at this autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show and UK customers will get the chance to buy the new model early next year.
Peak power is 82PS – higher than the standard petrol-engined Up and the e-Up is also capable of providing a sustained 55PS. Acceleration to 62mph comes up in 14 seconds and top speed is about 84mph. Volkswagen is claiming a range of 150km (over 90 miles) according to standard industry tests.
The first wave of volume electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf, which appeared a few years ago, impressed reviewers but generally left company car buyers unmoved. Now, it’s up to a second batch of smaller, cheaper models such as the Renault Zoe – and perhaps the e-Up – to turn the tide.