The Volkswagen Up! is a city car manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen. Introduced in 2011, the Up! was designed as a modern, affordable, and fuel-efficient vehicle aimed at the urban driving environment. The model underwent a significant facelift in 2016, bringing updated styling, improved equipment, and enhanced technology. This article focuses on the 2016-2018 facelifted Volkswagen Up! equipped with the 1.0 BMT (Best Mileage Technology) engine producing 60 horsepower. While not officially sold in the United States, the Up! found considerable success in Europe as a competitor to vehicles like the Fiat 500 and Toyota Aygo, offering a practical and economical transportation solution.
Volkswagen Up! (Facelift 2016) 1.0 BMT: An Overview
The Up! was conceived as Volkswagen’s entry into the burgeoning city car segment. Prior to its introduction, Volkswagen lacked a direct competitor to the increasingly popular small hatchbacks dominating European urban centers. The facelifted 2016 model refined the original design, adding a more assertive front fascia, updated interior materials, and the availability of advanced driver-assistance systems. The 1.0 BMT engine, a key component of this iteration, prioritized fuel efficiency without sacrificing acceptable performance for city driving. The Up! is typically offered in both 3-door and 5-door configurations, catering to different lifestyle needs.
Engine & Performance
The 2016 Volkswagen Up! 1.0 BMT is powered by a naturally aspirated, three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine. This engine, designated CHYA, CHYE, or DAFA depending on the specific market and emissions regulations, produces 60 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 95 Nm (70.07 lb.-ft.) of torque between 3000 and 4300 rpm. The engine utilizes multi-port manifold fuel injection and boasts a power-to-liter ratio of 60.1 hp/l. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. While not designed for rapid acceleration, the Up! 1.0 BMT achieves 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 14.4 seconds, and 0-60 mph in approximately 13.7 seconds. Its top speed is rated at 162 km/h (100.66 mph). The focus of this powertrain is not outright speed, but rather maximizing fuel economy. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 4.1 l/100 km (57.4 US mpg, 68.9 UK mpg), with CO2 emissions of 96 g/km, meeting Euro 6 emission standards.
Design & Features
The 2016 facelifted Up! features a compact hatchback body style, designed to maximize space efficiency within a small footprint. Available with either three or five doors, the Up! comfortably seats four passengers. The exterior design is characterized by clean lines and a relatively upright stance. The facelift brought a revised front bumper, new headlight designs, and updated grille elements, giving the car a more modern appearance. Inside, the Up! offers a surprisingly spacious cabin for its size. The interior design is functional and straightforward, with a focus on usability. Key features include power steering (electric), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), and a range of optional equipment depending on the trim level. Higher trim levels could be equipped with features such as air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration, and parking sensors. The trunk offers 251 liters (8.86 cu. ft.) of space with the rear seats up, expanding to 959 liters (33.87 cu. ft.) when the rear seats are folded down. Safety features, while basic by modern standards, were improved with the facelift, including enhanced stability control systems.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Volkswagen |
| Model | Up! |
| Generation | Up! (facelift 2016) |
| Type (Engine) | 1.0 BMT (60 Hp) |
| Start of production | 2016 |
| End of production | 2018 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Seats | 4 |
| Doors | 3-5 |
| Fuel consumption (urban) | 4.9 l/100 km (48 US mpg, 57.6 UK mpg, 20.4 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) | 4.1 l/100 km (57.4 US mpg, 68.9 UK mpg, 24.4 km/l) |
| CO2 emissions | 96 g/km |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 14.4 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 14.4 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 13.7 sec |
| Maximum speed | 162 km/h (100.66 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 6 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 14.3 kg/Hp, 69.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 9 kg/Nm, 110.6 Nm/tonne |
| Power | 60 Hp @ 5000 rpm |
| Power per litre | 60.1 Hp/l |
| Torque | 95 Nm @ 3000-4300 rpm (70.07 lb.-ft. @ 3000-4300 rpm) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | CHYA, CHYE, DAFA |
| 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 |
| Engine oil capacity | 3.4 l (3.59 US qt | 2.99 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 859 kg (1893.77 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 1330 kg (2932.15 lbs.) |
| Max load | 471 kg (1038.38 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 251 l (8.86 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 959 l (33.87 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 35 l (9.25 US gal | 7.7 UK gal) |
| Max. roof load | 50 kg (110.23 lbs.) |
| Length | 3600 mm (141.73 in.) |
| Width | 1641 mm (64.61 in.) |
| Width including mirrors | 1910 mm (75.2 in.) |
| Height | 1504 mm (59.21 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2407 mm (94.76 in.) |
| Front track | 1412-1428 mm (55.59 – 56.22 in.) |
| Rear (Back) track | 1408-1424 mm (55.43 – 56.06 in.) |
| Ride height (ground clearance) | 144 mm (5.67 in.) |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter) | 9.8 m (32.15 ft.) |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears and type of gearbox | 5 gears, manual transmission |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Electric Steering |
| Tires size | 165/70 R14; 175/65 R14; 185/55 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 5J x 14; 5.5J x 15 |
The Volkswagen Up! (facelift 2016) 1.0 BMT represents a successful attempt to create a modern, efficient, and affordable city car. While never officially available in the US market, it remains a popular choice for urban drivers in Europe, offering a compelling blend of practicality, economy, and Volkswagen build quality.
