According to a report coming from Drive Solar, Volkswagen is expected to introduce an EV concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week.
The concept EV, called the e up! is an electric version of the companies up! concept city car. Though it will be shown only in concept form, the company has confirmed that it plans to introduce its first electric vehicle based on the up! platform (New Small Family platform) in 2013. The statement came from Volkswagen AG Chairman of the Board of Management Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.
Though little is known regarding the electric concept up!, details surrounding the gasoline powered up! are as follows. The platform and drivetrain was entirely new when revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007. The vehicle measures in at only 3.45 meters in length and marks Volkswagen's return to the rear engine layout made famous with the Beetle.
Two years ago, the company introduce another concept based on the up!. This concept, called the space up! blue concept car was powered by a fuel cell and lithium-ion batteries. The space up! was destined to be a concept only from the beginning, but Volkswagen promises us the e up! will be much more than a concept.
Source: Drive Solar via Green Car Congress
