The up! is a small car. Yet, today even small cars have to handle tremendous technical tasks. More than ever, stringent requirements for fuel efficiency, safety, comfort and infotainment demand tremendous efforts in small car development. This especially applies to the up!. This car, available as a two-door or four-door model, is a completely new design. A look at its technologies – with new engines and gearboxes as well as multimedia modules – makes this very clear.
New EA211 engine generation
Efficient petrol engines with 1.0 litre displacement
Together with the up! debut at the end of 2011, a new generation of three-cylinder petrol engines (EA211) also made its debut. Although the new 999 cc four-cylinder engines share the same 82 mm cylinder spacing of Volkswagen's successful EA111 engine series, they are completely new engine designs. The engines output 44 kW / 60 PS and 55 kW / 75 PS, fulfil the Euro 5 emissions standard and drive the front wheels. Combined fuel consumption values for the BlueMotion Technology version (with such features as a Stop/Start system, battery regeneration, low-friction ancillary engine component drives and tyres optimised for low rolling resistance): 4.2 l/100 km (60 PS) and 4.3 l/100 km (75 PS). Both 1.0-litre engines satisfy the 100 g/km CO2 emissions limit. These petrol engines can be ordered with either the standard 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional 5-speed automatic gearbox, also new. The two-door and four-door models do not exhibit any differences with regard to fuel economy, emissions or driving performance data.
Natural gas engine with record value of 79 g/km CO2
An up! version with a natural gas engine with 50 kW / 68 PS and the same basic technology will follow later this year. Its combined fuel consumption of 2.9 kg/100 km (CNG) is equivalent to a groundbreaking CO2 value of 79 g/km; the up! EcoFuel will launch on the market as a BlueMotion Technology version as standard. There are also firm plans for an up! with an electric drive in 2013, and a study of the up! Blue-e-Motion was also shown at the IAA in September.
Variable intake camshaft
The new petrol and EcoFuel engines, all produced from aluminium, are as compact as they are lightweight, and they were systematically designed for the least possible internal friction. The two overhead camshafts are driven by toothed belts; the intake camshaft is variable – this further reduces emissions and fuel consumption and improves the power curve in the lower rev range. The valves are activated via cam followers with very low friction. The engine's dual-circuit cooling system and integrated water-cooled exhaust manifold ensure short engine warm-up times for a quick transition to the optimal engine temperature range. Each cylinder is equipped with a separate ignition coil. All of the internal combustion engines in the up! have bore / stroke dimensions of 74.5 / 76.4 mm. The compression ratio of the petrol engines is 10.5:1, while the natural gas version has a compression ratio of 11.5:1. Engine control is performed by a Bosch Motronic unit, type ME 17.5.20.
Aluminium crankcase
The three-cylinder engines of the up! each have an aluminium crankcase that is die-cast in ‘open deck' construction. To reduce weight here, most of the mounting points for ancillary components are located directly on the crankcase. This eliminates the need for an otherwise usual ancillary drive bracket. The grey cast iron cylinder liners enable reliable engine operation with all of the types of petrol available in the world.
Innovative crankshaft drive makes balancer shafts unnecessary
In laying out the crankshaft drive, engineers were able to reduce further moving masses, thereby minimising friction in the system. The connecting rods and pistons are weight-optimised to such an extent that the balancer shafts that are otherwise obligatory in three-cylinder engines could be eliminated – while maintaining the same comfort levels. Engine weight and drive friction – and therefore fuel consumption – were further reduced by the small main and connecting rod bearings. Six crankshaft counterweights are used to reduce mass forces and therefore the load on the main bearing. These are design measures that have given the up! engines the potential to be literal endurance runners.
Cylinder head has 12 valves
The cylinder head of the up! with four valves per cylinder is cast from an aluminium alloy. The valves suspended at the tops of the combustion chambers are laid out angles of 21 degrees (intake) and 22.4 degrees (exhaust), and as noted they are activated by cam followers. The valve stems have a diameter of 5 mm. The cylinder head has an integrated exhaust manifold, which, as mentioned previously, brings the engine's operating temperature up to its optimal level faster. The engine coolant is heated faster during the cold start phase, because the exhaust channels within the head merge at a central flange. In normal operation, on the other hand, the exhaust gas stream is cooled more intensively, and the engines can be operated at an optimal fuel-to-air ratio of λ=1. Once again, the results are reduced emission and fuel consumption values.
Acoustic comfort of a large car
The topic of weight reduction runs like a common thread throughout the engine area, all the way to the engine's swivel mounts: the solution implemented in the up! with its rubber-metal elements not only provides for very good isolation of the body from vibrations of the three-cylinder engine; it is also the lightest in the entire competitive field. Furthermore, it was already verified that weight-optimised insulating and damping concepts could be implemented in the up! in the initial concept phase. An example: in the concept, engineers provided sufficient installation space in the area of the engine bulkhead for the usual, relatively expensive firewall insulation, but it is not designed as the usual moulded part – instead as a more economical and very lightweight stamped part. Good sound insulation of the interior was achieved by special tuning of structural damping in its interaction with other acoustic elements. The up! development team also focused on systematic sealing of the body to minimise entry of undesirable noises into the passenger compartment, and this also minimised the need for sound-absorbing materials. In general, the new up! is characterised by a noticeably lower noise level than in many other vehicles in this class, because of its excellent insulation and acoustic damping.
1.0 MPI with 44 kW / 60 PS
From its 999 cc displacement, this entry-level engine develops a lively 44 kW / 60 PS at 5,500 rpm. Its maximum torque of 95 Nm is available between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. 90 per cent of maximum torque is available between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. This results in good agility in nearly all engine rev ranges. In the base version with the 5-speed manual gearbox, a combined fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km is attained, which is equivalent to 105 g/km CO2. For the version with BlueMotion Technology, the values are 4.2 l/100 km and 97 g/km. In conjunction with the 35-litre fuel tank used in the up!, this yields a theoretical range of 833 km. The up! with 60 PS and a manual gearbox accelerates to 100 km/h in 14.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 160 km/h (161 km/h and 14.5 seconds as a BlueMotion Technology version).
1.0 MPI with 55 kW / 75 PS
The more powerful version of the 1.0-litre engine has the same displacement and same bore (74.5 mm) and stroke (76.4 mm) dimensions. The power gain is achieved by a modification to the engine controller. This results in a maximum power of 55 kW / 75 PS at 6,200 rpm. The maximum torque of 95 Nm is identical. With a manual gearbox, the 75-PS engine has a combined fuel consumption of 4.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 108 g/km CO2). The BlueMotion Technology version attains 4.3 l/100 km and 99 g/km CO2. The ‘large' up! with a manual gearbox has a top speed of 171 km/h and completes the sprint to 100 km/h in 13.2 seconds (174 km/h and 13.3 seconds as a BlueMotion Technology version).
1.0 EcoFuel with 50 kW / 68 PS
Volkswagen's EcoFuel badge has long stood for one of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient ways to drive a car – with natural gas (CNG – Compressed Natural Gas). Until now, EcoFuel engines were reserved for the Touran, Passat and Caddy. Now, for the first time Volkswagen will be launching an EcoFuel version in a very small model – in the new up!. Here too, the company is using the newly developed 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine which in this case outputs 50 kW / 68 PS (at 6,200 rpm) and develops a maximum torque of 90 Nm (between 3,000 and 4,300 rpm). Compared to versions exclusively fueled with petrol, this engine's compression ratio was increased from 10.5:1 to 11.5:1. The valves and valve seat rings were also reinforced to withstand the higher loads of natural gas combustion. In addition, the induction manifold has separate mounting points for the supplemental stainless steel gas distributor. With this engine configuration, the eco up! accelerates to 100 km/h in 15.8 seconds. Its top speed: 168 km/h. Combined fuel consumption of the EcoFuel engine in conjunction with the BlueMotion Technology pack (including Stop/Start system and battery regeneration) that is standard here: 2.9 kg/100 km natural gas. This fuel consumption is equivalent to a CO2 value of 79 g/km. Fuel costs per 100 km are below 3.00 euros (based on fuel price in Germany in February 2012). It is hardly possible to drive a car more economically in Europe today.
Natural gas tanks in the underbody
These incredible values are enabled by the high energy content of the natural gas; one kg of CNG has the same energy content as about 1.5 litres of petrol. The natural gas is stored in two underfloor tanks (34.5 and 37.5 litre capacity) located near the rear axle. Tank no. 1 is located in front of the axle together with a 10-litre reserve petrol tank; tank no. 2 makes use of the spare wheel recess. The natural gas reservoir together with the petrol reserve tank – the EcoFuel engine has a ‘quasi monovalent' design and can also be operated with petrol – enable a range of over 550 km. Since the entire EcoFuel system was integrated in the vehicle structure, it does not impose any limitations on the car, except for the use of the spare wheel recess.
BlueMotion Technology – Stop/Start system
In the BlueMotion Technology versions, the up! is equipped with a Stop/Start system and a mode for recovering braking energy in battery regeneration. In addition, BlueMotion Technology models have an additional battery data module (to acquire momentary charge status), a heavy-duty starter, a DC/DC converter (guarantees voltage stability of the onboard electrical system) and a battery with excellent deep cycle performance. This is how the Stop/Start system works: the driver approaches a red light, slows to a stop, shifts to neutral and takes his or her foot off the clutch (with an automatic gearbox it is sufficient to press the brake pedal). This immediately shuts the engine off. The ‘Stop/Start' indicator now appears on the multi-function display. As soon as the traffic light turns green and the driver puts his or her foot on the clutch, the engine automatically starts, the ‘Stop/Start' indicator goes out, the driver puts the vehicle into gear and drives on. The Stop/Start system reduces fuel consumption by up to six per cent in city driving.
BlueMotion Technology – battery regeneration
Battery regeneration helps to utilise the energy expended in driving as efficiently as possible. During coasting and braking phases of the up! – i.e. whenever the driver releases the accelerator pedal or brakes – the system elevates the voltage of the alternator (generator), and this electricity is used to charge the vehicle's battery. Thanks to this alternator control as a function of engine efficiency and the fact that the battery is thus always optimally charged, the alternator's voltage can be reduced, e.g. during acceleration or when constantly maintaining a desired vehicle speed. It is even possible to shut off the alternator entirely. This reduces engine load, which in turn lowers fuel consumption. The optimally charged battery also supplies the onboard electrical system with sufficient energy whenever the engine is stopped (e.g. at a traffic light). Battery regeneration requires special software for the energy management system and modified engine controller software.
Newly developed gearboxes
Five forward gears – manually
Volkswagen has specially tuned the new 5-speed gearboxes, which are made out of aluminium, to the three-cylinder petrol engines. The conventional manual gearbox version, referred to as the MQ100, weighs just 25 kg including transmission fluid, which makes it the world's lightest gearbox in this torque class (the gearbox also comes with indicators for the recommended gear and the engaged gear in the instrument cluster as standard). The gearbox is also built very compactly with a length of 341 mm and width of 462 mm.
Five forward gears – automatically
Also new is the automatic version of the gearbox. With a weight of less than 30 kg, the SQ100 is one of the lightest automatic gearboxes ever built. The automatic transmission offers ‘D', ‘N' and ‘R' selections; as an alternative, the driver can switch over to manual shifting mode at any time. In the automatic ‘D' mode, the gearbox selects the optimal fuel economy shift point and forward gear, which reduces fuel consumption even more compared to the manual version. An interesting fact found by gearbox developers is that during driving, twice as many shifting operations occur with the automatic version as with the manual gearbox. The automatic gearbox also exhibits a few differences in car operation compared to a conventional automatic with torque converter lockup clutch: this very efficient automatic transmission does without the park stage ‘P'. This means that the up! is not started in ‘P' (as is usual in other cars), rather in ‘N' (neutral). If the car is stopped in the ‘D' position, the gearbox automatically shifts to first gear.
Fifth gear as economy overdrive gear
Both gearboxes are designed for a maximum input torque of 120 Nm. The manual and automatic versions also both have a fifth gear with a long gear ratio. This economy gear reduces engine revs at higher vehicle speeds, lowering acoustic and exhaust emissions and of course reducing fuel consumption. The SQ100 is offered in conjunction with the two petrol engines of the up!
Agile and safe running gear
up! in Germany has ESP as standard
Since the introductions of the first Polo, Golf and Passat, Volkswagen has been relying on front-wheel drive technology. Since that time nearly four decades have passed, during which the principle of the Volkswagen front-wheel drive system was continually perfected. By the time the electronic stabilisation programme was introduced, the alliance of front-wheel drive and ESP revolutionised active safety. The up! cars are also offered with ESP as standard in countries like Germany. The system is integrated in the network of a MacPherson strut-type front suspension and a semi-independent rear suspension. The goal of this layout was to realise a very neutral, highly safe and comfortable chassis without losing sight of the special cost sensitivity of a small car.
Compact and lightweight suspensions
The driven front axle of the up! is, as mentioned, designed as a system with MacPherson-type struts and wishbones. A central component here is a subframe to which the single-shell transverse link is joined. At the same time, it absorbs forces of the stabiliser that is joined directly to the strut tower, as well as the steering unit and the swivel mount of the engine bearing. The lightweight but very rigid subframe is produced from high-strength steel that is only 1.8 mm thick. The semi-independent rear suspension also exhibits low weight and very compact construction. The up! will be available with an optional sport chassis as well; in this case, the body of the Volkswagen – equipped with stiffer spring-damper tuning – rides 15 mm lower to the road.
Economical power steering
All versions of the up! are equipped with electro-mechanical power assisted steering as standard. Volkswagen is also implementing steering systems of this type in numerous other models. Its main advantage: electro-mechanical power steering only operates when there is demand, i.e. only when it is needed. And this saves up to 0.2 l/100 km of fuel. Another advantage is the system's programmability; for example, it is possible to tune the steering for more sporty and direct responsiveness or for more comfortable steering. In the case of the up!, the parameters are the selected degree of active self-centring to the middle position and the steering comfort as well as a feeling of safety. The important self-centring characteristic, even over the slightest of steering angles, and speed-dependent build-up of steering torque convey a sense of very high precision to the driver. From lock to lock, there are exactly 2.9 steering wheel turns in the up!.
Sturdy brake system
At the front, the up! is decelerated with completely newly developed, ventilated 14-inch disc brakes. Compared to the brake discs of this size used by the company to date, Volkswagen was able to reduce their weight (per vehicle) by 1.5 kg; this too saves fuel. The reduction in unsprung mass has a positive effect on driving comfort as well. At the rear, Volkswagen is implementing a drum brake derived from the Polo, which ideally fits the power range and weight of the up!. A 9-inch brake servo unit optimises braking power. An innovative aspect of the system is that the power range of the brakes is subdivided into two maps. In the comfort braking range, the focus is on good force metering ability. Meanwhile, if more powerful braking is required, the second map is activated with a higher servo boost factor. This significantly reduces the ‘foot force level' during hard braking – the force with which the brake pedal must be pressed –, and in the end this improves safety. In markets like Germany, the up! will also be equipped with the ESP electronic stabilisation programme as standard. Also included in the vehicle is an ABS anti-lock brake system.
City Emergency Braking
Automatic hard braking
A safety technology highlight of the up! is the optional City Emergency Braking function. It is automatically active at speeds below 30 km/h; it uses a laser sensor (integrated in the upper area of the windscreen) to scan a space 10 metres in front of the up! and detect the risk of an imminent collision. If such a collision with a moving or stationary object is imminent without any reaction by the driver, then the brake system is pre-conditioned, and in a second stage the hydraulic brake assistant is switched to a more sensitive mode. Depending on the situation, City Emergency Braking might then initiate, as a third stage, automatic hard braking to a stop, or alternatively support the driver with full braking power if the driver is braking insufficiently. When maximum risk of collision exists, the up! is braked with a deceleration of 10 m/s2. Depending on the vehicle's speed and the driving situation, City Emergency Braking can reduce accident severity by automatic brake interventions – and possibly even avoid a crash. Nonetheless, the driver still assumes responsibility for the braking process.
Driver always has full access to the system
If it is deemed necessary, the driver can deactivate the intervention by City Emergency Braking at any time by pressing the accelerator pedal, steering or activating the clutch pedal. In addition, City Emergency Braking can be shut off entirely by pressing a button in the lower part of the centre console (e.g. for towing or on a dynamometer test stand). In this case, a related symbol appears in the instrument cluster with the text ‘OFF' for 5 seconds to indicate the deactivation; in addition, the indication appears whenever the relevant vehicle speed range of 5 to 30 km/h is reached. If City Emergency Braking is defective, the symbol flashes slowly and continually. When City Emergency Braking is triggered, the symbol intermittently flashes briefly and at a quick interval.
Multi-functional system maps+more
Mobile Information
The maps+more system, a multi-functional portable infotainment system, is debuting in the up!. It includes a navigation system, a hands-free telephone unit, displays of factual information related to the vehicle and a media player. In addition, apps can be used to tailor maps+more to a driver's highly individualised requirements profile. maps+more is snapped into a very high-end and sturdy bracket above the centre console, which interfaces it with the electronics network of the up!. maps+more offers the most systematic form of integration of portable devices being launched on the market today.
Affordable information
maps+more takes a comprehensive approach to offering infotainment for new cars at affordable prices. That is why, in the economically priced up!, a system was developed for organising the areas of navigation, telephone, information and entertainment at a competitive cost. In addition, this system was designed so that it could be brought up to the latest software levels by a simple update. In cooperation with Navigon, one of the world's leading suppliers of portable navigation systems, a special solution was tailored to the up! which is affordable for all buyers – maps+more.
maps+more in detail
In Germany, maps+more will cost 355 euros. In this case, the RCD 215 radio-CD system must also be ordered, and the radio can also be controlled via maps+more. Why are these two units coupled? Because playback of MP3 songs or the voice output of the navigation system or telephone conversations only operate properly if their output is via the radio system and the car's loudspeakers. The radio module with its two loudspeakers also costs 355 euros; for an added price of just 120 euros, the loudspeaker configuration can be extended from two to six. So, in the maximum configuration costing 830 euros, the buyer gets a complete radio-navigation system with voice control, CD/MP3 player, SD card interface (32 Gigabytes) for playing back music and images, hands-free telephone unit, multifunctional trip computer with fuel-saving trainer and other applications whose broad assortment is hardly matched by any other system on the market. The system's basic functions are organised under four main menus: ‘Vehicle', ‘Navigation', ‘Media' and ‘Telephone'. Each of these four menus is activated from the 5-inch colour touchscreen.
‘Vehicle' menu
This menu is used to display information on the up! itself and helpful apps. They include...
- Information from the ‘trip computer' (driving range, fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, vehicle speed, driving time and distance) with digitally generated analogue gauges for the tachometer, engine temperature and outdoor temperature;
- ‘Door monitoring' (a visual representation of open doors, if the up! is equipped with central locking);
- ‘Visual reversing assist' (a supplementary visual display of the optional acoustic-based ParkPilot function);
- The ‘Notepad' function (input of signature via touchscreen), which can be installed from the Navigon Fresh portal;
- The ‘High beam' flashlight/light function (the headlights of an up! light up in the display), which is also installed via Navigon Fresh;
- The ‘ThinkBlue. Trainer'.
‘ThinkBlue. Trainer' assists in sustainability
This trainer helps to save fuel and makes it easier to realise an eco-friendly and anticipatory style of driving. It monitors and analyses the use of the accelerator pedal, brakes and gear shifting, and it gives tips to drivers on how they might modify their style of driving to reduce fuel consumption.
In the start menu of the ‘Think Blue. Trainer', the three functions ‘Driving', ‘Fuel consumption' and ‘Shifting' are displayed as circular symbols. These three symbols let the driver know, very quickly, just how eco-friendly the car trip is going. The ‘Driving' symbol, for example, with its integrated silhouette of the up! inside a circle, indicates by the size of the circle how fuel-efficient the driver's driving style has been so far during the drive – the larger the circle, the less fuel-efficient the driving style over the driven time period. The ‘Fuel consumption' symbol shows the average fuel consumption value since the beginning of the current driving trip. When the driver touches one of the three symbols on the screen, the related submenu is opened which shows further specific information. Under the ‘Driving' menu, tips on driving behaviour are shown; this information can be used straight away to drive in a more eco-friendly way. The submenu under ‘Shifting' provides detailed information on the ideal shift time points and how ideally shift recommendations were implemented over recent minutes. When the ‘Fuel consumption' submenu is called, a graphic display shows fuel consumption values over the past 30 minutes.
Last but not least, maps+more thinks with the driver and – when the navigation system or map display is active – it can automatically seek out the next fuel refilling station at a specific fuel reserve level; this function is called ‘Low fuel warning'.
‘Navigation' menu
First, this menu refers to a classic navigation system with voice control and TMC. Yet, maps+more clearly offers much more in this area as well.
- There is the ‘My vehicle' menu item, for example. When parking the car (ignition off), the system automatically saves the position of the parked up!. On the way back to the vehicle, maps+more, now operating as a mobile navigation system, finds the way back to the parking location. This can be really helpful in unfamiliar cities.
- Of course, maps+more can also locate car parks.
- Those using the up! as a business car will also enjoy the ‘Trip log' function.
- In addition, addresses and routes can be imported via Outlook, and different route profiles may be selected.
- Those who wish to can display their own motifs as a maps+more screensaver; in this case, the screen also shows the date, time and outdoor temperature.
- The system can also accept about 500 navigation destinations as personal favourites (POI = Points of Interest) and show map details in 3D.
maps+more can also point out about two million POIs or attractions.
The ‘Call for help' command can be used (in this case, the display always shows the car's current position) to have maps+more place a call for emergency services at the nearest control centre.
‘Media' menu
The combination of maps+more and the RCD 215 offers these options for playing music over the loudspeakers of the up!: the radio, a micro-SD card reader (for cards up to 32 Gigabyte) or the CD/MP3 player of the RCD 215. Photos and videos can also be displayed from an SD card. Those using an iPod or iPhone can also play back music over the system (streaming) via Bluetooth.
- In its visual display of individual media functions, maps+more enables a number of new options for the automotive field. For example, the radio broadcasting station can be shown conventionally as a name in text format, or it can be shown by the station's logo (the latest station listing can be downloaded at any time via Navigon Fresh).
- Just as on many MP3 players, it is also possible to display the album cover of the MP3 songs currently being played from the SD card.
- Photos can be presented as a slideshow via maps+more.
- Last but not least, radio and sound settings can be adjusted quickly and intuitively from the touchscreen under the ‘Media' menu.
‘Telephone' menu
When used with suitable Bluetooth telephones, maps+more offers a range of functions equivalent to that of a hands-free telephone unit. After interfacing to the telephone, the touchscreen displays a keyboard, the entire telephone book of the interfaced telephone and a directory of recent calls. Moreover, the telephone can be operated by voice control.
Other apps for maps+more
up! drivers can download additional apps for maps+more via the maps+more download portal. Extended functionalities are available free of charge. They include a First Aid app, a licence plate catalogue and a technical encyclopaedia. In addition, other apps are available from Navigon. Applications that can be downloaded include various travel guides, a 3D City View and a directory of natural gas refilling stations. For a low fee, up! drivers can also obtain an update of map materials for all of Europe (price in Germany: 19.99 euros for 24 months).
Notes:
TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries.