DEBUTED AT THE 2011 Frankfurt Motorshow, the Volkswagen up! is finally available to order in the UK, giving Dubbers an entirely new small-car platform to dig their modification teeth into.

Due to arrive in showrooms in the spring of 2012, the hatchback three-door up! will be available in a range of different trim and specifications, with the five-door version out late 2012. Prices start at £7,995 (RRP OTR), and rise to £11,180.

The up! will be available with two 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine options as well as a BlueMotion Technology version; it will have three doors and three trim levels – Take up!, Move up! and High up! – plus a special edition, the up! black and up! white.

From what we’ve seen, the big wheel wells and the boring factory-standard multi-spoke alloys means slamming it on a good set of aftermarket rims will be par for the course straight ‘up’ for many modders, while engine tuners are expected to see what extra bit of grunt they can squeeze out to keep boy-racer owners happy.

Topping the range will be the special edition up! black and up! white models for £11,180 based on the High up!, but with either deep black pearl or pure white metallic paint, chrome door mirror caps and door side strips, and 16in alloy wheels with body-coloured centre sections. Inside there is a body-coloured dash, special ‘stripes’ upholstery and carpet mats.
An SUV version known as the Cross up! is expected next year, too. For more info visit your local Dub retailer or see it online at www.volkswagen.co.uk