WOLFSBURG, Germany The second in Volkswagen's "up!" concept series premiered at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. The concepts represent VW's New Small Family of cars intended for maximum space utilization coupled with youthful, simple-looking design.
VW's first up! concept made its debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the work of VW design chief — and former Alfa Romeo, Audi and Seat designer Walter de'Silva. That one was a two-door city car that put viewers in mind of the Smart Fortwo.
The space up! is a four-seater van concept with four doors, although VW says, "in actuality there are even six" because it has a two-part rear door instead of a tailgate. The rear bench seat has two integrated child safety seats and can be removed, as can the front passenger seat.
The space up! is 60.6 inches in length and rides on a 100.8-inch wheelbase. It's 9 inches longer than the up! concept shown at Frankfurt, and VW calls it "the biggest small Volkswagen since the Beetle." It's said to be the basis of a new world car for VW but no technical or future on-sale details were given.
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