Frankfurt show: The real new Beetle

From Steve Cropley in Frankfurt

VW’s Up! concept excited me because it provided a plausible way forward for baby cars, beyond transverse front-drive. A tiny, efficient engine under the rear seat allows such cars to improve crash performance, cut frontal area, weight, emissions and fuel consumption further — and to carry some mechanical distinction into a class with little of it. Think of this as the real new Beetle.