Volkswagen Up! Postponed Until Late 2011

Volkswagen Up! minicar won't arrive sooner than late 2011, a company spokesman said in an interview, emphasizing that the delay is mostly caused by some internal problems. Volkswagen’s production chief Jochem Heizmann told Automobilwoche that production of the Up! will begin after March 2011, with first models projected to hit dealerships later that year.

“As we now see it, we will start regular production for Volkswagen and Skoda in the second half of 2011,” he said according to a report by egmcartech.com.

Curiously, the main problem that led to this delay is a dispute within the Volkswagen Group, between the brand it includes. VW's official hasn't provide too many details but hinted that the main reason is “time-consuming petty jealousies between various departments and the participating brands.”

Volkswagen will also introduce an electric version of the Up! minicar sometime in 2013. The model was officially displayed at the Frankfurt Auto Show last month and was powered by a 80 hp electric motor. In terms of performance, the electric vehicle was capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds and reach 50 km/h in 3.5 seconds. It incorporates an 18 kWh lithium-ion battery and measures 3.19 meters (length) x 1.64 meters (width) x 1.47 meters (height). Its wheelbase is 2.19 meters.

"The E-Up! is characterized by a reduced, very clear and yet highly emotional design. The new concept is therefore very much in harmony with its stylistic ‘siblings’ of the New Small Family, the Roadster BlueSport and the new Polo," Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer of Volkswagen Brand, said.