What's the Point? VW UP! Switches to FF layout.

[2o6]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/production-vw-up-may-drop-rear-engine-and-rwd/

"We'll admit to being a bit shocked that Volkswagen was even considering a move back to the rear-engine configuration it made fashionable all those years ago with its first vehicle, the ubiquitous Beetle, for the production version of its up! concept. Although we have some fondness in our hearts for the good ol' Bug and its backwards engine location, modern packaging constraints may force VW to ditch this idea for the production version of the up!, just like it did for the modern reincarnation of that first Vee Dub, the New Beetle. Out would go the uniqueness of the concept vehicle with this decision, but such is life in these days of platform sharing and cost considerations.

To go along with the previously noted nostalgia-crushing news, rumors indicate that both a 1.2-liter gasoline engine and a new diesel engine of the same displacement are expected, both offering just 55 horsepower. If this power level is accurate, at least the up! will share one thing with its Beetle forebear: really slow acceleration."





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What's the purpose? Drop the UP! Name and call it a new Fox.

[Cookie Monster]

That sucks.

No more Porsche counterpart I suppose.

[Raza]

Well, the point is to sell a conventional small car to people who want a conventional small car.

But they are breaking the hearts of hopeful Volkswagen fans (like me) who were really hoping for this car to be rear engine, rear drive.

[Eye of the Tiger]

This is bullshitcrap! Looks like someone needs to head over to the VW HQ and do some assbutt-kicking. The VW UP! is going DOWN! 

[NomisR]

Since this is a car for the masses, a RR car simply doesn't make sense.  I'm sure it won't have enough power to cause much damage but seeing how many more idiots there are on the road than in the past, I don't want to have to risk having to dodge idiots in them in the rain.  "Oh no, I'm going tooo fast around the corner, I have to lift......... whooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaa"     Seeing how many people brake in corners today, bad idea.

[nickdrinkwater]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/production-vw-up-may-drop-rear-engine-and-rwd/

"We'll admit to being a bit shocked that Volkswagen was even considering a move back to the rear-engine configuration it made fashionable all those years ago with its first vehicle, the ubiquitous Beetle, for the production version of its up! concept. Although we have some fondness in our hearts for the good ol' Bug and its backwards engine location, modern packaging constraints may force VW to ditch this idea for the production version of the up!, just like it did for the modern reincarnation of that first Vee Dub, the New Beetle. Out would go the uniqueness of the concept vehicle with this decision, but such is life in these days of platform sharing and cost considerations.

To go along with the previously noted nostalgia-crushing news, rumors indicate that both a 1.2-liter gasoline engine and a new diesel engine of the same displacement are expected, both offering just 55 horsepower. If this power level is accurate, at least the up! will share one thing with its Beetle forebear: really slow acceleration."





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What's the purpose? Drop the UP! Name and call it a new Fox.

What's in a name?

Anyway, this is only an autoblog post.  Don't take it too seriously.

[2o6]

Since this is a car for the masses, a RR car simply doesn't make sense.  I'm sure it won't have enough power to cause much damage but seeing how many more idiots there are on the road than in the past, I don't want to have to risk having to dodge idiots in them in the rain.  "Oh no, I'm going tooo fast around the corner, I have to lift......... whooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaa"     Seeing how many people brake in corners today, bad idea.

The Japanese and Canadians and most of Europe seem to be able to cope with a small RR vehicle, the Mitsubishi i and Smart Fortwo.

[Raza]

Since this is a car for the masses, a RR car simply doesn't make sense.  I'm sure it won't have enough power to cause much damage but seeing how many more idiots there are on the road than in the past, I don't want to have to risk having to dodge idiots in them in the rain.  "Oh no, I'm going tooo fast around the corner, I have to lift......... whooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaa"     Seeing how many people brake in corners today, bad idea.

Isn't the Smart RR?

[Soup DeVille]

Since this is a car for the masses, a RR car simply doesn't make sense. 

Dr. Porsche is no longer speaking to you.

[2o6]

Isn't the Smart RR?

So is the Mitsubishi i, which is about the Same size the UP! is.

[Raza]

I wanted a rear engine, rear drive Up! GTI with a 2.0T and a six speed manual.  Mini 911!

[Madman]

So is the Mitsubishi i, which is about the Same size the UP! is.

And so is the Tata Nano.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[nickdrinkwater]

So is the Mitsubishi i, which is about the Same size the UP! is.

Hardly anyone buys it in Europe.

[nickdrinkwater]

I wanted a rear engine, rear drive Up! GTI with a 2.0T and a six speed manual.  Mini 911!

  1.4 TSI.

[Raza]

  1.4 TSI.

That's the Twincharge, right?

If so, it's a good engine, that's for sure.  But it only manages a scant few MPG more than the 2.0T and is not as powerful.  Sure, in a small, light car it would be quite nippy.  But if you get the tune they've got in the Leon Cupra, you're looking at a 2000 or so pound car with 240bhp.  It would rival the Exige in speed!  Actually, with the rear engine, it would probably be faster in a straight line. 

[2o6]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/volkswagen-up-confirmed-to-be-fwd-delayed-five-months/

Now, nothing is special about this car. It's just another A-segment.

[hotrodalex]

I'm with Raza.

[Tave]

Why does everyone think a RR UP! will drive like their masturbatory fantasy of some "golden-age" 911, and not a ho-hum 70s bug?

I mean, I love the bug, but the pinnacle of driving enjoyment it is not.

[2o6]

Why does everyone think a RR UP! will drive like their masturbatory fantasy of some "golden-age" 911, and not a ho-hum 70s bug?

I mean, I love the bug, but the pinnacle of driving enjoyment it is not.

Driving excitement wasn't the point. A Rear-engined car would be a drastic change from the norm, and set it apart from it's competitors. Without that, it's nothing more than another A-segment car.

Hardly anyone buys it in Europe.

Was not my point. My point was that a Rear-engined car can be done and sold in the mainstream market.

[NomisR]

Dr. Porsche is no longer speaking to you.

Still doesn't make sense.  I mean I more than welcome the choice but I can see bad things happening.  People today sees driving even more as only a mean to get from point A to point B than in the past.  So less they do when driving, the better. 

[Vinsanity]

Great. Now I can't look at that picture without hearing that voice with the funny accent in my head. Thank you, advertising

[CALL_911]

Great. Now I can't look at that picture without hearing that voice with the funny accent in my head. Thank you, advertising

[nickdrinkwater]

Driving excitement wasn't the point. A Rear-engined car would be a drastic change from the norm, and set it apart from it's competitors. Without that, it's nothing more than another A-segment car.

Was not my point. My point was that a Rear-engined car can be done and sold in the mainstream market.

And my point was that it can, but it does not sell.  So 'What's the Point?'

[Raza]

Great. Now I can't look at that picture without hearing that voice with the funny accent in my head. Thank you, advertising

And I can't look at any of your posts without thinking about Kate Walsh. 


Advertising is wunderbar!

[Raza]

I'm with Raza.

It's the only way to be.

[Vinsanity]

And I can't look at any of your posts without thinking about Kate Walsh. 


Advertising is wunderbar!

You'd have a point if my avatar was this:



But I think you're just looking for an excuse to daydream about starlets

But because I'm a nice guy, I'll change my sig anyways. When I get home.

[2o6]

And my point was that it can, but it does not sell.  So 'What's the Point?'

One: It's a japanese Kei Car. Obviously, there was enough demand and clamoring for it to be sold in Europe.


Two: It's selling like hotcakes in Japan.

[hotrodalex]

Why does everyone think a RR UP! will drive like their masturbatory fantasy of some "golden-age" 911, and not a ho-hum 70s bug?

I mean, I love the bug, but the pinnacle of driving enjoyment it is not.

Just because it's not like that out of the factory doesn't mean you can't tune it like that.

[Raza]

You'd have a point if my avatar was this:



But I think you're just looking for an excuse to daydream about starlets

But because I'm a nice guy, I'll change my sig anyways. When I get home.

Now I just think about the fact that you used to have an S2000, and your next car will probably be some sort of minivan.

[Vinsanity]

well, I did entertain the idea of replacing the TL with a Honda Element