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Photo of a Volkswagen Up!

Volkswagen Up!

2018 up! GTI: 113 hp, 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h, and a nod to the 1976 Golf GTI.12

Researched October 29, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • Up-exclamation-markTop Gear presenters turned the punctuation in its name into a spoken joke.1

At a glance

0100200
59–113 hpPower
01020
8.8–15.8 s0–100 km/h
0100200
130–196 km/hTop speed
0150300
90–212 N·mTorque
07501,500
920–1,229 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.128111314

Engine
1.0 L EA211 MPI/TSI I3; CNG MPI; electric motor112
Layout
Front engine (combustion); front-wheel drive111
Gearbox
5-speed manual/ASG; GTI: 6-speed manual; e-up!: single-speed1
Built at
Volkswagen Bratislava Plant, Slovakia; Taubaté factory, Brazil1

The story

The European up! replaced the Fox with four seats in 3.54 m and a deliberately simple shape. Marco Antonio Pavone, Klaus Bischoff and Oliver Stefani share design credit; the brief favored a long wheelbase inside a short body.1345

2007: Rear-engine concept debuts at Frankfurt20072011: Front-drive production begins in Bratislava20112012: World Car of the Year · eco up!: twin tanks, 79 g/km20122014: Taubaté builds a longer up!20142016: Facelift adds the 89 hp TSI20162018: GTI revives the 1976 Golf formula20182019: e-up! nearly doubles its battery20192023: The last up! leaves production2023 Volkswagen Lupo (Typ 6X): 1998–2005Typ 6XVolkswagen Fox (Europe): 2005–2011Volkswagen up! Concept: 2007Volkswagen up! ConceptVolkswagen up! (Mk1): 2011–2023Mk1 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1361326
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1998–2005Volkswagen Lupo (Typ 6X)
2005–2011Volkswagen Fox (Europe)
2007Volkswagen up! Concept
2011–2023Volkswagen up! (Mk1)
2007Rear-engine concept debuts at Frankfurt
2011Front-drive production begins in Bratislava
2012World Car of the Year
2012eco up!: twin tanks, 79 g/km
2014Taubaté builds a longer up!
2016Facelift adds the 89 hp TSI
2018GTI revives the 1976 Golf formula
2019e-up! nearly doubles its battery
2023The last up! leaves production
  1. 2007

    Rear-engine concept debuts at Frankfurt

    The rear-engine up! concept debuts at Frankfurt. Walter de Silva oversees design; Ralf-Gerhard Willner heads concept engineering.16

  2. 2011

    Front-drive production begins in Bratislava

    December production brings front-drive EA211 triples. BlueMotion adds stop-start; City Emergency Braking and maps+more are small-car firsts.17

  3. 2012

    World Car of the Year

    A jury of 66 journalists from 25 countries picks the up!. Launch honors include iF design Gold, the 2011 Golden Steering Wheel and three What Car? awards.5

  4. 2012

    eco up!: twin tanks, 79 g/km

    The eco up! carries two underfloor CNG tanks and a gasoline reserve for over 550 km combined range, with rated CO2 emissions of 79 g/km.8

  5. 2014

    Taubaté builds a longer up!

    Brazilian production starts in February at Taubaté. The local body grows by 65 mm, gaining a larger fuel tank and more cargo space.1

  6. 2016

    Facelift adds the 89 hp TSI

    Europe's facelift brings the 89 hp 1.0 TSI turbo: 160 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and 4.4 L/100 km on the EU combined cycle.1910

  7. 2018

    GTI revives the 1976 Golf formula

    The 113 hp up! GTI arrives with a six-speed manual, suspension lowered 15 mm and an 8.8-second 0–100 km/h sprint, echoing the 1976 Golf GTI.12

  8. 2019

    e-up! nearly doubles its battery

    Launched in 2013, the e-up! moves from 18.7 kWh and 160 km NEDC to 36.8 kWh gross (32.3 usable) and 260 km range; battery mass rises just 15 kg.111

  9. 2023

    The last up! leaves production

    The up!'s run ends in October 2023. Taubaté, Brazil, had stopped building it in 2021.1

Every generation

  • Volkswagen Lupo
    Typ 6X1998–2005
  • Volkswagen Fox (Europe)
    Volkswagen Fox (Europe)2005–2011
  • Volkswagen up! Concept
    Volkswagen up! Concept2007
  • Volkswagen up!
    Mk12011–2023

Power over the years

From 59 hp to 113 hp in 7 years.

050100150 201020122014201620182020 hp 2011 · 59 hp · Launch 1.0 MPI (60 PS)2011 · 74 hp · Launch 1.0 MPI (75 PS)2012 · 67 hp · eco up! CNG (68 PS)2013 · 80 hp · e-up! (18.7 kWh)2016 · 89 hp · 1.0 TSI (90 PS)2018 · 113 hp · GTI (115 PS)2019 · 82 hp · e-up! (83 PS, larger battery) 113 hp GTI (115 PS) 59 hp Launch 1.0 MPI (60 PS)
128911
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
201159Launch 1.0 MPI (60 PS)
201174Launch 1.0 MPI (75 PS)
201267eco up! CNG (68 PS)
201380e-up! (18.7 kWh)
2016891.0 TSI (90 PS)
2018113GTI (115 PS)
201982e-up! (83 PS, larger battery)

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Take up!, Move up! and High up! (UK launch)

    Standard

    Take up!, Move up! and High up! (UK launch)

    2012

  • MPI and TSI (Brazil)

    Standard

    MPI and TSI (Brazil)

  • Standard

    up!, White Edition, Black Edition and R-Line (UK)

    2020

  • e-up! (2019 battery update)

    Standard

    e-up! (2019 battery update)

    2019

    82 hp
  • up! Beats

    Special

    up! Beats

  • up! black and up! white

    Special

    up! black and up! white

    74 hp

  • Special

    Groove up! and Rock up!

    2013

  • Special

    Street up! and Club up!

    2015

  • Special

    Speed up! (Brazil)

    2015–2017

How to spot one

Look for

  • European cars have a black glass tailgate.123
  • A slim upper grille links the small headlights through a large VW roundel.4
  • The original body is only 3.54 m long, with slab sides, an upright tail and wheels at the corners.124
  • Three-door cars have an upswept rear side-window line; five-doors have a straighter lower edge.23
  • Brazilian five-doors have divided rear-door glass and a painted-metal tailgate.1

Year by year

  1. 2012 (UK)

    Early UK cars were three-door; five-door models joined in August 2012.25

  2. 2014 (Brazil)

    Brazil gained a longer rear body, a steel tailgate and divided rear-door glass; luggage space grew from 251 to 285 liters.112

  3. 2015 (Brazil)

    TSI models gained a black tailgate and a longer front bumper to cool the intercooler.12

  4. 2016 (Europe)

    Reshaped bumpers, LED running lights, mirror indicators and revised taillights; inside, new fabrics and an optional phone dock.19

  5. 2018 model year (Brazil)

    The facelift enlarged bumpers and grille, darkened taillight surrounds and dropped the two-door hatchback.1216

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Up!
    Up!
    Photo of a SEAT Mii
    SEAT Mii

    SEAT Mii

    The European up! has a black glass tailgate; the Mii has a body-color metal lower tailgate and different front styling.123

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Up!
    Up!
    Photo of a Škoda Citigo
    Škoda Citigo

    Škoda Citigo

    On three-door cars, the up!'s rear side window sweeps upward; the Citigo's lower window line is straight.123

Against its rivals

  • Renault Twingo GT

    Up! vs Renault Twingo GT

    Quoted price lower is better

    Up!14,025 £
    Renault Twingo GT13,755 £
    27

  • Up! vs Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Up!10 s
    Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S9.1 s
    10
  • Suzuki Swift Sport (mild hybrid)

    Up! vs Suzuki Swift Sport (mild hybrid)

    Power

    Up!113 hp
    Suzuki Swift Sport (mild hybrid)127 hp
    28

Prices

Value today $6.4K–$17.5K3435

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 201520202025 Value today: $6,400–$17,500 2012 · $12,792 · UK Take up! (~£1=$1.60)2012 · $14,352 · UK Move up! (~£1=$1.60)2012 · $16,624 · UK High up! (~£1=$1.60)2014 · $40,013 · UK e-up! pre-grant (~£1=$1.65)2016 · $10,980 · Germany facelift base2017 · $17,391 · UK High TSI tested (~£1=$1.24)2019 · $17,101 · UK High 90 5dr (~£1=$1.28)2020 · $15,923 · UK base 3dr (~£1=$1.28)2020 · $20,346 · UK GTI 3dr (~£1=$1.28) 2020 · $13,438 · 2018 GTI; £10,750 (~£1=$1.25), Bonhams Cars Online2024 · $14,605 · 2019 GTI; £11,500 (~£1=$1.27), PistonHeads2026 · $3,770 · 2018 GTI 1.0 manual, 63,015 miles, BidSpotter $14.6K PistonHeads, 2024
1910131517273336
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2012Price when new$12,792UK Take up! (~£1=$1.60)
2012Price when new$14,352UK Move up! (~£1=$1.60)
2012Price when new$16,624UK High up! (~£1=$1.60)
2014Price when new$40,013UK e-up! pre-grant (~£1=$1.65)
2016Price when new$10,980Germany facelift base
2017Price when new$17,391UK High TSI tested (~£1=$1.24)
2019Price when new$17,101UK High 90 5dr (~£1=$1.28)
2020Price when new$15,923UK base 3dr (~£1=$1.28)
2020Price when new$20,346UK GTI 3dr (~£1=$1.28)
2020Auction sale$13,4382018 GTI; £10,750 (~£1=$1.25), Bonhams Cars Online
2024Auction sale$14,6052019 GTI; £11,500 (~£1=$1.27), PistonHeads
2026Auction sale$3,7702018 GTI 1.0 manual, 63,015 miles, BidSpotter
2026Value today$6,400–$17,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “66 jurors crowned it World Car of the Year”
    • “A complete manual gearbox weighing 25 kg”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Volkswagen Up - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. up! GTI – 115 PS tribute to the original GTI | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  3. Volkswagen Fox - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. In contrast to its rivals, VW says it kept the design of its Up deliberately simple goauto.com.au
  5. The up! Named "World Car of the Year 2012" prnewswire.com
  6. Volkswagen Up! Concept - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
  7. up! technologies | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  8. up! four-door – up! technologies | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  9. Facelifted Volkswagen Up! Goes On Sale In Europe | Carscoops carscoops.com
  10. Kia Picanto vs Volkswagen up! | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  11. The battery, the drive system and the charging options | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  12. Volkswagen up! MPI e TSI: parecidos por fora, mas na mecânica... autorealidade.com.br
  13. Used Volkswagen up! review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  14. 2013 Volkswagen Up Tested! Exclamation Point! caranddriver.com
  15. Everything Down, Get up! - New Volkswagen up! - CarsandStuff.uk carsandstuff.uk
  16. VW Up! usado coleciona mitos, boa reputação e recalls | Quatro Rodas quatrorodas.abril.com.br
  17. 2020 Volkswagen Up Black Edition UK Version - Stunning HD Photos, Videos, Specs, Features & Price - DailyRevs dailyrevs.com
  18. City specialist with offroad look | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  19. Long-term test review: Volkswagen up! | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  20. フォルクスワーゲン、白と黒の「up!」限定車「white up!」「black up!」 - Car Watch car.watch.impress.co.jp
  21. Volkswagen cranks it up! | News | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  22. Volkswagen Club up! | Eurekar eurekar.co.uk
  23. Which Way Up? – Driven to Write driventowrite.com
  24. Volkswagen up! (2012-2023) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  25. Used VW up! buying guide: 2012-present (Mk1) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  26. Volkswagen Lupo - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. Volkswagen Up TSI review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
  28. Volkswagen Up GTI review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
  29. WOLLNIK SIEGT IN FOTOFINISH FÜR GESCHICHTSBÜCHER - GRONECK IST MEISTER | ADAC Tourenwagen Junior Cup tourenwagenjuniorcup.de
  30. Used Volkswagen Up! review - ReDriven redriven.com
  31. How to make a unique car – Mighty Car Mods mightycarmods.com
  32. Ukraine Road Trip - Top Gear 21x03 | TVmaze tvmaze.com
  33. Volkswagen Up! GTI For Sale & Price Guide | TCV theclassicvaluer.com
  34. Volkswagen Up!: ficha técnica, versões, vendas e recalls guiacarros.com.br
  35. Used VW e-up, SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo EV Buying Guide evcarsguide.co.uk
  36. **(ONLY 63K MILEAGE)** 2018… — auction in United Kingdom | LotSeekr lotseekr.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • volkswagen-newsroom.com
  • goauto.com.au
  • prnewswire.com
  • carbodydesign.com
  • carscoops.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autorealidade.com.br
  • caranddriver.com
  • carsandstuff.uk
  • quatrorodas.abril.com.br
  • dailyrevs.com
  • car.watch.impress.co.jp
  • carenthusiast.com

Photo credits

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