The Volkswagen Up! is a city car manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen from 2012 to 2016. Positioned as an entry-level vehicle, the Up! aimed to provide affordable and efficient transportation, particularly in densely populated urban environments. While not officially sold in the United States, the Up! was a significant model in Europe, competing with vehicles like the Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, and Peugeot 107. This article focuses on the 1.0 BMT (60 Hp) variant equipped with the ASG (Automated Shift Gearbox), a five-speed automated manual transmission.
Volkswagen Up! 1.0 BMT (60 Hp) ASG: An Overview
The Up! represented Volkswagen’s attempt to create a truly minimalist and cost-effective vehicle. Its design prioritized fuel efficiency and ease of maneuverability, making it ideal for navigating narrow city streets and tight parking spaces. The 1.0 BMT engine, coupled with the ASG transmission, offered a balance between affordability and usability. The ASG transmission, while not a traditional automatic, provided the convenience of automatic shifting without the complexity and cost of a full automatic gearbox. The Up! was available in both three-door and five-door configurations, catering to different customer needs.
Engine & Performance
The Volkswagen Up! 1.0 BMT (60 Hp) ASG is powered by a naturally aspirated, three-cylinder 1.0-liter (999 cm3 or 60.96 cu. in.) gasoline engine. This engine produces 60 horsepower (Hp) at 5000-6000 rpm and 95 Nm (70.07 lb.-ft.) of torque between 3000-4300 rpm. The engine utilizes multi-port manifold fuel injection. While not a performance-oriented vehicle, the Up! offered adequate power for city driving. The power-to-weight ratio is 15.5 kg/Hp, and the torque-to-weight ratio is 9.8 kg/Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 15.3 seconds, and 0 to 60 mph is achieved in approximately 14.5 seconds. The Up! has a maximum speed of 161 km/h (100.04 mph). Fuel economy is a key strength, with combined fuel consumption rated at 4.0 l/100 km (58.8 US mpg or 70.6 UK mpg), and CO2 emissions of 93 g/km, meeting Euro 5 emission standards.
Design & Features
The Volkswagen Up! is a compact hatchback available with either three or five doors. Its design is characterized by clean lines and a relatively small footprint. The interior is designed to be functional and space-efficient, maximizing the use of the limited interior volume. Despite its small size, the Up! offers seating for four passengers. The trunk (boot) space ranges from 251 liters (8.86 cu. ft.) with the rear seats up to 951 liters (33.58 cu. ft.) with the rear seats folded down. Safety features included ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) as standard. The Up!’s relatively lightweight construction (kerb weight of 931 kg or 2052.5 lbs.) contributes to its fuel efficiency and maneuverability. The vehicle’s dimensions are: length 3540 mm (139.37 in.), width 1645 mm (64.76 in.), and height 1489 mm (58.62 in.).
Technical Specifications
| General Information | |
| Brand | Volkswagen |
| Model | Up! |
| Generation | Up! |
| Type (Engine) | 1.0 BMT (60 Hp) ASG |
| Start of production | 2012 |
| End of production | 2016 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Seats | 4 |
| Doors | 3-5 |
| Performance Specs | |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 4.6 l/100 km (51.1 US mpg, 61.4 UK mpg, 21.7 km/l) |
| Fuel consumption (extra urban) | 3.7 l/100 km (63.6 US mpg, 76.3 UK mpg, 27 km/l) |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 4 l/100 km (58.8 US mpg, 70.6 UK mpg, 25 km/l) |
| CO2 emissions | 93 g/km |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 15.3 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 15.3 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 14.5 sec |
| Maximum speed | 161 km/h (100.04 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 5 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 15.5 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 9.8 kg/Nm |
| Engine Specs | |
| Power | 60 Hp @ 5000-6000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 60.1 Hp/l |
| Torque | 95 Nm @ 3000-4300 rpm (70.07 lb.-ft.) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | CHYA |
| Engine displacement | 999 cm3 (60.96 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 3 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Engine oil capacity | 3.4 l (3.59 US qt | 2.99 UK qt) |
| Space, Volume and Weights | |
| Kerb Weight | 931 kg (2052.5 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 1300 kg (2866.01 lbs.) |
| Max load | 369 kg (813.51 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 251 l (8.86 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 951 l (33.58 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 35 l (9.25 US gal | 7.7 UK gal) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 3540 mm (139.37 in.) |
| Width | 1645 mm (64.76 in.) |
| Height | 1489 mm (58.62 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2420 mm (95.28 in.) |
| Front track | 1428 mm (56.22 in.) |
| Rear track | 1424 mm (56.06 in.) |
| Minimum turning circle | 9.8 m (32.15 ft.) |
| Drivetrain, Brakes & Suspension | |
| Drivetrain Architecture | ICE drives front wheels |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears & gearbox type | 5 gears, automatic transmission |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Assisting systems | ABS |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Electric |
The Volkswagen Up! 1.0 BMT (60 Hp) ASG, while not a groundbreaking vehicle, represented a practical and efficient solution for urban transportation in Europe. Its compact size, fuel efficiency, and affordable price point made it a popular choice for city dwellers. Although never officially offered in the US market, the Up! demonstrated Volkswagen’s commitment to providing accessible and economical vehicles.
