Volkswagen has added an optional five-speed automated manual gearbox to its new Volkswagen Up city car. It is available to order now and will cost customers a £595 premium over a standard five-speed manual Up.
The Automatic Shift Gearbox (ASG) improves fuel economy and CO2 emissions compared with the manual unit and is available on three-door and five-door Move Up and High Up models (excluding BlueMotion Technology cars). Prices for ASG-equipped cars start from £9675.
When fitted to the 59bhp 1.0-litre Move Up, the new transmission helps the city car to achieve 64.2mpg combined, while emitting 103g/km of CO2. By comparison, the five-speed manual version returns 62.8mpg and emits 105g/km of CO2.
Performance figures for the semi-automatic Up do take a slight hit compared with the manual car; the 0-62mph sprint rises from 14.4sec to 15.3sec for the 59bhp Move Up and from 13.2sec to 13.9sec for the 74bhp High Up model.
The most frugal Up in the range remains the Move Up BlueMotion Technology, with figures of 68.9mpg and 95g/km.
The ASG weighs 3kg more than the manual gearbox, at 30kg, and is controlled by two electromechanical actuators, which engage the gears. The clutch is controlled by another electric motor.
