The Volkswagen Up Is About To Die

Not all that long ago, the city car segment was booming with choice but has slowly been diminishing in options in recent years. Now the Volkswagen Up, one of the very best of its kind, is the latest to bow out.

It’s been some time since its sister cars, the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, downed tools, but the Up has gone on to reach 12 years on sale. Volkswagen has confirmed this will be its final one though, with production coming to a close at the end of the year.

UK buyers hoping to lay hands on one will need to act quickly. Factory-built orders are no longer being taken, meaning you’re limited to existing dealer stock.

Even in its base form, the Volkswagen Up has been a charming car, though no doubt the highlight of its lifespan was the 113bhp GTI. You could also have it as an electric e-Up, offering up to 156 miles of range and a surprisingly sufficient 80bhp.

No direct replacement is imminent for the Up, but it’s expected an ID 1 electric car will take its place at some point in the next few years. That places the Polo as Volkswagen’s current entry point, itself set to be joined by a production version of the ID 2all EV concept showcased earlier this year by 2025.

The Up isn’t the only recent victim of the swing of VW Group’s scythe. Earlier this year, VW brand chief Thomas Schaefer confirmed internal combustion engine versions of the Golf will end with the Mk8, with the Mk9 set to go all-electric.

Seat as a brand has also recently been confirmed to be killed off as a car manufacturer by 2030. Instead, Cupra will take its place with the Seat nameplate pivoting to ‘electric mobility’. Think e-scooters and the like.