Photo: Volkswagen
Big boss Martin Winterkorn is bent on making Volkswagen the biggest name in electric mobility in a few years. Besides the Porsches and Audis that have hybrid models, two VWs have been electrified and a bespoke fuel-sipper has been launched in the form of the €110,000 XL1.
But you can't be the best with just three cars, so VW is now pondering a new, hybrid version of the Up! city car. Called the Twin-Up, this concept has a high chance of going into production.
So what makes it special? Well, they took the 0.8-liter two-cylinder TDI diesel from the XL1, and the electric motor and put it into the Up!. The TDI makes 47.6 PS (35 kW) and 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) and the electric motor ads another 47 for a systemic output of 75 PS (55 kW) and 214 Nm (158 lb-ft).
Power is sent via a seven-speed DSG gearbox, which VW have never managed to squeeze into the Up!. Acceleration is decent but not impressive: 0 to 100 km/h in 15.7, about the same as any boring A-segment car. But it's the economy where the Twin-Up! shines: 1.1 liters/100km, equivalent to 257 mpg UK. Now that sounds like a free ride.
So what makes it special? Well, they took the 0.8-liter two-cylinder TDI diesel from the XL1, and the electric motor and put it into the Up!. The TDI makes 47.6 PS (35 kW) and 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) and the electric motor ads another 47 for a systemic output of 75 PS (55 kW) and 214 Nm (158 lb-ft).
Power is sent via a seven-speed DSG gearbox, which VW have never managed to squeeze into the Up!. Acceleration is decent but not impressive: 0 to 100 km/h in 15.7, about the same as any boring A-segment car. But it's the economy where the Twin-Up! shines: 1.1 liters/100km, equivalent to 257 mpg UK. Now that sounds like a free ride.
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