Volkswagen Up! Concept
Volkswagen Space Up! Concept
With the Space Up! Blue Concept, VW is introducing the third variant of its “New Small Family” within just two months: the concept follows the the up!, already introduced at the IAA in Frankfurt, and the space up! presented in Tokyo.
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The Space Up! Blue Concept features the world’s first high temperature fuel cell and an array of twelve lithium-ion batteries. When the electric motor (45 kW / 61 PS) of the space up! blue is driven exclusively by battery, a range of 65 miles is possible – enough to handle distances in downtown areas.
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Energy is “refueled” either via an electrical outlet or by the high-temperature fuel cell. In the latter case, the car’s range is extended an additional 155 miles.
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This makes it possible to drive up to 220 miles on a single “energy charge”.
Aside from this, the microvan utilizes the sun as an additional energy source.
A large solar panel on the roof supplies up to 150 Watt of energy that is also fed into the battery.
Developed at a dedicated research center founded by Volkswagen in Germany, the new high temperature fuel cell (HT-FC) system offers several advantages compared to other fuel cell systems: considerably lower weight, significantly greater everyday utility, substantially lower price, and therefore a higher chance of becoming a mass produced technology.
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Over a length of just 144.9 inches, a height of 61.8 inches and a width of 64.2 inches, it offers the space of a considerably larger vehicle.
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The clever space concept of the space up! blue – which is
1,090 kilograms “light” despite the fuel cell and batteries –
is largely due to the layout of the powertrain.
Its emissions free electric motor operates – as did the engines of the Beetle and the Bulli (Microbus) at one time – in the rear.
Also housed in the rear, under the rear seat to be exact, are the lithium-ion batteries.
The high temperature fuel cell, on the other hand, is located at the front of the car.
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(Source:Volkswagen)