Volkswagen e-up!

The electric car is no longer a rarity

Unlike other brands, which are betting on developing models designed to be electric (there have we very interesting BMW i3, Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe, not to mention the amazing Tesla Model S), Volkswagen has preferred to follow a more conservative route, preparing hybrid and electric from conventional models rather than tested and amortization process variants. Not that the German brand is alone in this way of proceeding, as demonstrated already on the market Kia Soul EV, Ford Focus Electric and Smart Electric Drive.

Not having to design new models has granted the Volkswagen Group time and resources to develop their own technologies of electric motors, lithium ion batteries and management of energy flows, common foundation on which is launching a major product offensive. Thus, they have arrived or will soon arrive in our market Jetta and Touareg conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrid Golf and Passat GTE GTE, and purely electric e-Golf and e-up !.

While hybrids, plug or not, models seem to be the most viable at present in the market driven by alternative energy (both acquisition cost as autonomous operation) cars, electric cars can and should become the Ideal for everyday use. In coches.net we have already tested the new e-Golf, which adds an extraordinary silence up to the usual ride quality German compact, which penalizes instead with the obvious limitations of an electric. Something similar happens with the e-up !, compelling compendium of lights and shadows of which I speak today.

Many changes and almost none in sight

As is clear from its name, the e-up! is a derivation of the Volkswagen up! powered by electricity; therefore shares dimensions (3.54 m long and 1.65 meters wide and 1.48 high) chassis, body (only the five-door) and most components of the standard model.

Outside, however, presents some aesthetic features that reflect the special nature of this car, such as the blue shading of brand logos, signing as 'C' of daytime running lights and rear reflectors (traits shares with the e-Golf and future electric car brand) and using alloy wheels 15-inch specific design. Apart from that, minor changes have been implemented to improve aerodynamics as much as 4% (Cx 0.31) taking advantage of lower cooling requirements of an electric car; and to increase energy efficiency, has chosen to use tires with low rolling resistance.

The carrier hardly changes at first, except for the use of a light beige coatings for the lower half. If you look, instrumentation changes, as is logical, the seats have sections in beige leather and come with blue thread sewn, the same used for the steering wheel and shifter.

The space available for passengers is the same as in the Volkswagen up !, which can be explained by the fact that the batteries have been distributed by the underbody. Sitting in the back seat, remain unconvinced the verticality of support and lack of free legroom; but, in short, are things that have small cars! The boot capacity, also intact, continues to set some interesting 250 liters.

How this electrical work?

Let's move on to what matters in this car: its driving scheme. The Volkswagen e-up! Riding a synchronous permanent magnet electric motor capable of delivering the front axle maximum power of 60 kW, equivalent to 82 hp. This engine is mated to a automatic transmission in a forward gear sets (the reverse is achieved in electric motors reversing their polarity).

The engine gets stored energy in the system of lithium ions, consisting of 17 modules with 12 cells each and as I said before is distributed between the front and the rear. The advantage of using this configuration is that, although the total mass of the e-up! (1.139 kg) is 23% greater than that of an up! gasoline, at least the center of gravity is much lower.

Being a small car, and thus have little space to locate its batteries, the theoretical range of e-up! stays at 160 km, the lowest of the eight cars that took part in our comparative ambitious electric car.

To try to soften this problem, the e-up! offers two driving profiles than the standard, which allows to extend the mileage of the car. The Eco profile reduces engine power 50 kW (60 hp), softens throttle response and reduces the power of the air conditioner. The Eco + profile goes one step further, allowing maximum power of 40 kW (54 hp), further limits the acceleration and off the conditioner. After testing these three driving profiles, choose the standard for city driving and highway, leaving the Eco to move quietly through urban rounds. Instead, the Eco + profile slows the car too, with a response to the gas pedal almost nil unless we tread depth; not to mention the inconvenience of not having air conditioning in cold or hot days.

We can also play with up to five modes of energy recovery, a very important factor such vehicles because it allows downturns take to recharge the batteries. I liked to have a D so that no endeavors like other electric cars to recover kinetic energy all the time. This mode allows Circular D "sailing" when lifting off the throttle, leaving roll with the accumulated inertia, which is especially nice always to remember that the car will only extract energy from braking.

From there, just move left the grip of change we can scroll through the D1, D2, D3 and B modes, each more intense than the last in terms of energy recovery. From D2 mode, the engine braking effect is quite remarkable, so the brake lights light up automatically every time we release the accelerator pedal.

Driving in B reminded me to get the strange feeling for the first time at the wheel of a BMW i3. A as in the former, the engine braking is so strong that rarely have to use the brake pedal, or even rolling downhill. This will force us to change somewhat the way we drive, learning to "accelerate slightly" to control the speed or for smooth braking.

In any case, I think the most comfortable and natural is circular modes D or D1 whenever we planned our usual routes and identified possible points of recharge something that very soon we learn if we do not accidentally discover the limits of autonomy our car. So added, the display indicates at all times the energy flow to help us understand when we are demanding energy to the car and when we are recovering.

All these profiles, modes and multimedia systems can help us ultimately change our mindset to adopt an efficient driving style that allows us to extend and control the autonomy of our car. Even so, keep in mind that there are several factors that can reduce this maximum distance as the type of road, traffic conditions, the terrain and drag; these and other reasons may cause the estimate indicates our car can vary drastically, since that provision of autonomy is updated based on our recent tour.

The main lesson we learn with these cars is to be cautious and never worry the battery life. But if we must, at least the car will do its part to alert us of our situation and help us reach The main lesson to learn is to be cautious and never rush the baterías.buen port. When the indicator marks an estimated 30 kilometers autonomy, jump an acoustic warning indicator "reserve" lights and engine power to 60% of the maximum limits. When and only can travel 5 kilometers appear on the instrument panel symbol of a turtle swear it's true-that makes it clear that the car has drastically limited the response of the engine to enable us to achieve a safe place to stop the car.

Obviously I have described an extreme case, it has little to do with the experience of an owner who knows the pros and cons of this car. Normally we would leave our car parked while charging its batteries. But how much can you take to do so? It all depends on where you load up and the type of base to which we have access. The Volkswagen e-up! can be charged by connecting to a conventional power socket 230 W, with a time of about nine hours if the battery gets fully discharged (the charging power is 2.3 kW). We can cut this period up to seven hours if the dealer handle the installation of a 3.6 kW wallbox -eye in our house: a house with garage; I refuse to install it on my floor and up the car for the stairs.

Next to the AC connector, the e-up! brings another DC that meets European standard CCS (Combined Charging System) and allows us to load the car on a public station 40 kW.

Optionally, you can also subscribe (free for the first year) the online service Car-Net, which allows us to program and control the recharging of the batteries, turn on or off the air conditioning, the 'Car-Net e-Remote' app for Android and iOS smartphones.

Yes it is possible to have fun with this car ...

But friends all this fuss efficient driving, energy recovery, finding outlets and recharge management vanishes when we are sure not to have to control the autonomy and can finally focus on enjoying the benefits of an electric car; which are many and notable. I agree that there's nothing like turning the ignition key and feel the raucous beat of a V8 engine, but at least in my case I would reserve gasoline car to savor during the weekend.

I can assure you that those who, like me, have to suffer the daily ordeal of going to work by car and jam jam, you would be delighted to hear nothing at all to start the car. Not a single noise to enter every street; not a single noise coming out of every traffic light; not a sound for two or more times each day. This is the most zen version of driving pleasure.

In addition, benefits the e-up! They are quite interesting. Rather than its pure power, the way to deliver it. Here comes into play under dynamic as electric motors which deliver maximum torque at zero rpm thus maximum thrust is already from standstill. In this case we have a maximum torque of 210 Nm --valor only good for a small utilitario- that continues to 2,800 rpm. From there we find the maximum power of 82 hp, which keeps pushing to 12,000 rpm.

Where it really makes a difference a car like this is in town. Goodbye to the myth that electric cars do not respond. Yes, at top speed have little to do 130 km / h the e-up! 171 against his brother. This perception of dynamism still makes more merit if we remember that up! Power must bear a burden of 210 kg in relation to his brother petrol (batteries weigh your thing), but being distributed by the underbody not affect too. The greater mass of the vehicle is well compensated by the response of the electric motor, and no clear loss agility shows in comparison with eel up! conventional.

Let's review the measurements obtained in terms of power consumption and autonomy. But always keep in mind that the characteristics and circumstances of our journey largely affect the real autonomy of the car. We have seen that in the case of e-up! is around 120-130 km under normal circumstances.

Electric are expensive.

And now comes the time I end my enthusiasm for the Volkswagen e-up! and most electric cars available on the market. Time to talk about prices in a segment where the cost of purchase is often prohibitive. And this German utility would not be an exception: if we want to with it, we must be willing to "lose affection" to 27,370 euros. Yes, you read that right.

Also keep in mind that the equipment of the e-up! is practically the same as the !, the most comprehensive range of conventional High up. By numbers, the price difference with the electric model stays at 8,910 euros. Difficult is that we can amortize the cost overrun; but I understand that those who buy a car like this is obviously because they can afford, and also enjoy the amenities it brings.

All that said, I maintain the conclusion that I explained in our video comparing electric cars. that is, to go to work, take the kids to "cole" and shopping at the grocery store. From there, we begin to feel the anguish of autonomy, so that electric cars higher segment lose strength as an alternative purchase.