Autosportfoto

The up! is ‘World Car of the Year 2012’

Latest triumph for Volkswagen: the up! is 'World Car of the Year 2012'! This much sought after title was awarded today at the New York International Auto Show.

The jury, consisting of 66 top journalists from 25 countries, voted by a majority to name the up! 'World Car of the Year 2012'. In the end, Volkswagen's city car beat off two other finalists to secure the internationally recognised prize.

"This award shows once again that in the up! our designers and engineers have created a vehicle that has been thought through in minute detail. A vehicle that sets standards in its class for efficient use of space, safety, motoring fun and environmental compatibility," remarks Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chariman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

Within just a short time of its launch last December, the up! was, for example, already topping the statistics for new vehicle registrations in Germany. At around the same time, consumer protection organisation Euro NCAP awarded the up! a top score of five points and also gave it an 'Advanced Award' for its city emergency braking system. The highly regarded iF Design Institute in turn gave Volkswagen's smallest car the 'iF design award in Gold'. Nor does it end there! The up! has to date also won the '2011 Goldene Lenkrad' (Golden Steering Wheel) in Germany and three awards from British motoring magazine 'What Car?': 'Car of the Year', 'City Car 2012' and the 'Safety Award'.

On a minimal footprint (3.54 m long) the up! provides maximum space for four people, plus extremely efficient drive technologies. The up! thus sees the debut of a new generation of three-cylinder engines. Petrol fuelled, they deliver 44 kW / 60 PS and 55 kW / 75 PS and are also available with the highly environmentally friendly BlueMotion Technology.

Photo gallery Volkswagen up! (Four-door version)