The Volkswagen up! is now on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €10,995, writes Brian Byrne.
It is available in three grades, Take, Move and High, all powered by a 75hp 1.0 petrol engine. With 108g/km of CO2 emissions it is comfortably inside the A rating for Irish tax considerations.
Standard equipment on the base model includes electric windows, daytime running lights, and a city emergency brake function.
The up! can be strongly customised by adding any of a variety of 'packs', alloy wheels, various decorative inserts, and upgraded audio and navigation options.
Young people are a key target element for the new car, and Volkswagen Ireland has sponsored the RTE TV show 'The Voice' as part of its marketing programme in this respect. One of the finance packages available through Volkswagen Bank will offer the new car at a cost of €99 a month.
Volkswagen Ireland is confident of taking at least 10 percent of the market segment in Ireland. It is expected the segment will represent about 2,000 cars this year.
Following the launch of the up!, the Irish company will be bringing in a new generation CC, a new Beetle, and a variation of the Polo, the Cross Polo, as part of its programme this year.
An electric up! is expected in Ireland in the fourth quarter of 2013.
