Volkswagen released the initial details of the electric up!, simply known as the e-up!, ahead of the car’s official debut at the 2013 IAA. This car introduces new standards for electric city cars in terms of range and charging time, while retaining all the good features of the standard up!.

Boasting a very clever packaging, the e-up! is powered by a 60 kW / 82 PS electric motor that also makes 210Nm of torque. It is backed up by a lithium-ion battery integrated in the underfloor delivering a range of up to 150 km on a single charge.

Weighing 1,185 kg, the e-up! accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h within 14 seconds and reaches a top speed of 135 km/h.

Visually, the car is pretty much identical to the normal up!, save a few distinctive features such as the curved layout of the LED daytime running lights in the front bumper and a few aerodynamic changes in the front end, sills and underbody. The interior is garnished with light-grey seat covers with blue top-stitched seams, as well as special leather and chrome accents.

The Volkswagen e-up! will be available to order from autumn 2013.