The Volkswagen Twin-Up – a plug-in diesel hybrid version of the Volkswagen Up minicar – will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The Volkswagen Twin-Up uses the same plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain that features in the ultra-efficient XL1, but in the standard Up body.
The powertrain includes an 800cc two-cylinder diesel engine with an electric motor. Power flows through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The 800cc engine produces 47hp and 88lb ft of torque. The combustion engine is supported by an electric motor developing a similar 47hp – 20hp more than the unit used in the XL1 – and 103lb of torque.
Volkswagen Twin-Up boasts an impressive set of economy figures, with a 214 mpg (257mpg UK or 1.1 l/100km) average fuel economy with CO2 emissions of just 27g/km.
The Twin-Up has a total zero-emission electric range of 31 miles (50km) during which it can reach speeds of up to 78 mph (125.5 km/h).
According to Volkswagen, the Twin-Up needs 8.8 seconds to get from 0 to 37 mph (59.5 km/h) while the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) task is accomplished in 15.7 seconds, prior to reaching a top speed electronically-capped at 87 mph (140 km/h) in hybrid mode.
The Volkswagen Twin-Up will be shown as a near-production-ready concept, alongside the all-electric e-Up, at the Tokyo Motor Show. VW has not yet decided whether the Twin-Up will go into production.
VW launched the all-electric e-Up in Europe in September. The e-Up starts at 26,900 euros in Germany.
The automaker is also building a limited run of the 200 XL1s, which will go on sale next year at a base price of 111,000 euros.
