Volkswagen to Debut Electrified Golf, Up! at Frankfurt Show

TURIN, Italy – Volkswagen will premiere its long-anticipated electrified Up! and Golf compact cars at the Frankfurt auto show next month.

VW says the e-Golf has a driving range of 118 miles (190 km) on a fully charged battery pack, and the Up! can travel 99 miles (160 km). Their storage capacity is of 24.3 kWh and 18.7 kWh, respectively.

Electronic controls allow drivers to choose between two driving modes (Eco and Eco+) and four regenerative braking modes (D1, D2, D3 and B).

The two cars have all the same features as their fossil-burning mates including a navigation system and light-emitting-diode daytime running lights. The e-Golf also comes with LED headlights, the first VW-brand model to take advantage of the new technology.

The e-Golf is powered by an 85-kW (114-hp) electric motor delivering up to 199 lb.-ft. (270 Nm) of torque and can accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km) in 10.4 seconds. On motorways around large cities, the speed of the 5-seat front-wheel-drive car is electronically limited to 87 mph (140 km/h).

The 4-seat Up! comes with a 60-kW (80-hp) electric motor that produces 155 lb.-ft. (210 Nm). The small car can travel from 0-62 mph in 12.4 seconds and its top speed is limited to 81 mph (130 km/h).

Preliminary data suggests both cars have outstanding fuel efficiency, with the Up! EV covering 62 miles (100 km) using just 11.7 kWh of electricity, while the e-Golf requires 12.7 kWh.

Volkswagen has not revealed the retail price of the new cars or when they will reach dealers, but it has said China is a top priority.