Published:
16 February 2014
Volkswagen Up
Volkswagen makes no bones about the fact that the bolder engineering ideas originally contained in the Up were jettisoned to ensure profitability.
Ignore, for a moment, the lack of revolutionary zeal and it’s clear that the Up is a fine example of VW’s coolly calculated approach to market success. Lest we forget, for all its innovations, the Toyota iQ hasn’t been a big seller for Toyota. Consider the Up as a model to replace the Fox and it’s demonstrably more accomplished than its predecessor.
In fact, with its fine interior, respectable rolling refinement, comparative spaciousness, real-world economy and covetable branding, the Up is among the class leaders. Only the automotive idealists will note the persistent lack of charisma that authentic technical originality might have ultimately gifted the Up.
