Frankfurt LIVE: VW e-up!

Volkswagen has unveiled its battery-powered e-up! at the Frankfurt Motor Show.�

The VW e-up! will retail for about €26,900 (roughly $33,600) when it goes on sale in Europe early next year.  The hefty price tag means that the e-up! will cost over twice as much as a regular, gasoline-burning up!, and slightly more than a base-model, European-spec Nissan Leaf.

Based on the five-door version of the up!, the e-up! gains an electric motor that generates about 80 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque.  Juice is provided by a 18.7kWh lithium-ion battery that is cleverly packaged in the up!’s underfloor area.

VW says the e-up!’s battery, which can be charged to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, provides a driving range of up to 93 miles.

The sprint from 0 to 62 mph takes 14 seconds in the e-up!, with the EV capable of hitting a top speed of 84 mph. The hatchback tips the scale at just a hair over 2,600 pounds.

The overall styling of the standard up! carries over but the e-up!’s front end gains a unique LED treatment that wraps around the front bumper. The e-up!’s front end, sills and underbody have been optimized for increased aerodynamics.

Inside, the e-up!’s seats are finished in light gray with blue top-stitched seams. The e-up!’s cabin also features “special” leather and chrome accents.

VW has not announced plans to sell the e-up! in the United States.<![CDATA[
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