The Volkswagen Up! managed to claim the number one spot for CAR's Top 12 best budget buys this year. In addition to this it has dominated international markets such as Germany and the Netherlands. Now, the microhatch has been facelifted with new interior and exterior designs as well as an addition to the engine range.

Exterior design revisions consist of new head and taillamp clusters, a new front and rear bumper, new exterior mirror housings with integrated indicator lights and cornering fog lamps. The colour option list also sees the addition of seven new choices including Edelweiss White and Savannah Gold.

The interior of the Up! sees it acquire a multifunction steering wheel, a new infotainment system with MirrorLink integration and new seat and dash designs. Volkswagen has also teamed up with Beats to provide a 300 W audio system for those who order the Up! on market launch in which case, smartphone integration will come as standard. The sound system will be made available as an option thereon after.

The 55 kW 95 N.m 1,0-litre three-cylinder engine remains as standard option for South African markets, however this phase of the Up! sees the implementation of a new 66 kW, 160 N.m turbocharged three-cylinder engine giving it a top speed of 185 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 10 seconds which closely matches the performance figures of the first Golf GTI.

Standard equipment on the Up has also been revised throughout the range:

  • Take Up! LED daytime running lights, LED licence plate lighting, door mirror casings with integrated indicators, a chrome trim strip between the headlights as well as remote-controlled central locking. The gloss black application on the centre console (with heating and ventilation controls; plus optional climate controls and radio) is framed by a narrow chrome strip.

  • Move Up! Newly developed "Composition" radio system, a USB port, an enlarged multi-function display and a customised "Black Cube" design dashpad as standard.

  • High Up! (New) Newly developed ambient lighting system, a customised dashpad (with a choice of three versions of the "Pixels" design), heated front seats, a multifunction steering wheel, six loudspeakers, fog lamps with integrated static cornering lights and the new 15-inch "Radial" alloy wheels. Air conditioning still comes as standard.

Word is yet to be given on when the new Up! will arrive in South Africa.

 

 

 

Original article from Car