First Drive: Volkswagen e-Up

Motoring

First Drive: Volkswagen e-Up!

Volkswagen has improved its electric e-Up! Jack Evans finds out how.

What is it?

In the race to gain EV supremacy, it seems that many manufacturers have forgotten that often the best application of electric technology is in smaller city cars – such as Volkswagen’s new e-Up! EV, which has been given bigger batteries to improve that allimportant range.

What’s new?

The exterior of the e-Up! doesn’t look particularly different from the car it replaces, with the bulk of the changes being under the skin. As well as boosting the battery count to improve range, VW has added the ability to fast-charge the car.

What’s under the bonnet?

The e-Up! has an electric motor linked to a 32.3kWh battery. Power reaches the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox, and in total it pushes out 80.5bhp and a healthy 210Nm of torque. The e-Up takes 11.6 seconds from 0-60mph with a maximum speed of 81mph, with a claimed 159 miles between charges. Combined charging system technology gives an 80 per cent charge in just an hour from zero, via a 40kW DC charger. A standard domestic wall box takes four hours, while using a three-pin plug needs around 16 hours for a full charge.

What’s it like to drive?

The e-Up! is fun to drive, with the zippy acceleration you only get from an EV. The steering and the ride are good too. It’s nimble around town and unflustered even at higher motorway speeds.

How does it look?

We like the undercover looks of the e-Up! Slim LED running lights up front help differentiate it, while the charging port is where you’d usually find the filler cap. The compact proportions lend the Up! to town driving and it’s a doddle to park. It’s conservatively styled for an electric vehicle but this should appeal to many.

What’s it like inside?

The cabin of the e-Up! is business as usual. The forward part of the interior feels uncluttered, the steering wheel has plenty of adjustment, the seats are comfortable and forward visibility is good. Our five-door model granted easy access to the rear of the car and had adequate rear legroom, though headroom is limited for very tall passengers.

What’s the spec like?

Our test car came in at a reasonable £20,555 after the government’s plug-in car grant. Cruise control, parking sensors at both front and rear and a rear-view camera are standard, while a five-inch colour touchscreen system houses Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio. Volkswagen includes a 16amp charging cable for use at wall boxes and charge points, and a 10amp cable for mains charging.

Verdict

The plucky e-Up! has hit the nail on the head, and with around 150 miles per charge offers a genuinely usable range. The ability to fast charge means much shorter wait times if you do need to plug in. Most importantly, however, the e-Up! is fun, and that’s certainly an aspect that many EVs have missed from the process of driving.

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