A while ago, we reported that the Volkswagen Up! for the Brazilian market would feature a better rear seat experience. It was believed that VW engineers in Brazil were working to enhance the rear seats comfort and the fuel carrying capacity of the Up!
Now, here is a concrete proof that an extended wheelbase version of the Up! does indeed exist. The Up! which you see here has been caught on test by Car & Driver Brazil. It seems that VW is developing the extended wheelbase Up! at the Taubate facility situated in Brazil.
When Car & Driver compared the images of the test mule to that of the international variant, it was found that the Brazilian Up! boasts of a much higher ground clearance than its European cousin. Furthermore, VW has also changed the design of the windscreen to give the cabin an airy feeling.
The wheelbase of the car was also measured using the images and it was found that the Brazilian Up! has an additional 2cm when compared to the European version. However, it is believed that the final production model may have an added wheelbase of 3cm to better accommodate the rear passengers.
VW Brazil is scheduled to launch the extended Up! pretty soon. Meanwhile, does this mean that VW India can take a page out of VW Brazil's book and maybe try harder to get the Up! localized?
We will keep our fingers crossed for that day!
[Source - Car & Driver Brazil]
