For the past few decades, Volkswagen has built quite the reputation as the premier European automaker in the production of efficient, low-cost compact cars. But it's the brand's upcoming "New Small Family" lineup of cars that's anticipated to catapult the carmaker even futher ahead of its competitors and raise the bar in the value-oriented economy car segment. Now, new information surrounding the up! possible engine offerings has emerged courtesy of U.K. publication Car.
We previously reported on the NSF group in July when rumors out of Wolfsburg, Germany indicated the lineup's keystone Up model would shift its rear-mounted engine to the front. According to sources close to the NSF project, the decision, like most, came down to cost. According to Car, the move saves VW an estimated 750 million euro (around $1.06 billion). Bespoke research, development and procurement needed for the new layout alone comprise 400 million ($568 million) of the estimated total amount. All in all, the switch is thought to delay the car's introduction by about a year to 2011. Save for an approximate 50mm longer nose, the revised front-engine car will maintain the concept's futuristic design.
It's currently unclear if Volkswagen will develop a new efficient NSF 1.0L engine specific to the family or use the brand's existing 1.2L 16-valve four-cylinder. In either form, no more than 60 horsepower and 80 lb-ft of toque is expected. A turbocharged version offers a bump of somewhere around 16 horsepower and 40 lb-ft. As usual, a diesel option is rumored to be available and will likely come in the form of a 1.2L common rail unit making 75 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. All engines can be specified with a five-speed manual, while a DSG unit will likely will be mated to the more powerful gasoline engines.
With the NSF group of vehicles, VW is looking to reduce its overall, long term expenditures and will share the economical, small car platforms with its other brands, Seat and Skoda. Three variants of the up! (3-door hatchback, minivan, sedan) will be available once production commences under the VW marque, while the other brands will be limited in their configuration choices. The New Small Family is targeted towards buyers in the burgeoning Indian, European and South American markets, though North American variants can easily be commissioned should the region demand them. Volkswagen expects over 500,000 up! sales in the first year of production.
Official prices have not been released, but Car estimates the 2011 Volkswagen up! will ring in at around 5,500-9,000 euros ($7,800-$12,800) depending on trim level.
source:motortrend
