The new Volkswagen e-up! has gone on sale in the UK, with refreshed styling and improved equipment levels the major changes. Completing the new up! range is the all-electric version, after the new petrol powered variants were launched in late July.
The electric powertrain remains the same with a 60 kW (80hp) motor combining with an 18.7 kWh battery pack for a quoted range of 93 miles. The 0-62mph sprint is completed in 12.4 seconds, while the new e-up! tops out at 81 mph.
Power goes through a single speed gearbox, with variably selectable levels of energy recuperation braking. Weighing in at a little over 1.1 tonnes, the e-up! is one of the lightest EVs on the market. Thanks to a compact battery, the e-up! weighs less than its internal-combustion powered stablemates, even though the pack weighs 230kg.
Charging takes nine hours from flat on a three-pin plug, or six from a 3.6 kW home charger. Able to use CCS connectors, the e-up! can be rapid charged at the normal rate of up to 80% charge within half an hour.
The exterior brings over recent changes made to the entire up! range, with those most noticeable being to the lights, and bumpers front and rear. The e-up! retains VW’s electric vehicle signature – C-shaped LED running lights.
The interior sees the most change with a new smartphone dock for increased connectivity. This turns the driver’s phone into the car’s infotainment system, allowing music and use VW’s ‘Maps + More’ navigation and app system.
The e-up! adds VW’s Car-Net e-remote to the smartphone connection system, which allows the driver to control functions such as timed charging, charge remaining, and pre-conditioning to make the car more efficient and flexible to their needs. A three year subscription is included in the cost of a new e-up!.
Eligible for a PiCG Category 1 grant of £4,500, the e-up! costs £20,780 and is available to order now. Deliveries are expected in October, and the car comes with a three year warranty – alongside the eight-year / 100,000 mile warranty for the battery.
