VW Up 5dr (2012) revealed - the Upsized one

VW has revealed a new five-door version of the Up to broaden the appeal of its city car range.

The new five-door Up hatch will cost £397 more than the three-door Up on the Continent; UK prices have yet to be revealed, but the three-door will kick off at £7995 when sales start on 6 March 2012.

Rear access is the main beneficiary of those extra doors; the rear doors make it easier to clamber in and out, but there's the same 79cm of legroom and nearly a metre of headroom in the back. Although not vast, the Up is well packaged for such a short vehicle.

Rear boot space is no squeeze either, with 251 litres of space with the seats up and 951 if you decide to forgo any back-seat passengers. By comparison, a five-door Toyota Aygo has 139 litres. 

Under the bonnet Volkswagen offers up the same engines as in the three-door Up: pick from with either 59 or 74 horses to propel the slightly heavier five-door to modest speeds.

The City Emergency Braking system automatically brakes the car should you get into any sticky situations at speeds between 3 and 20mph.

You can also spec the portable navigation system, allowing you to continue your journey on foot without fear of getting lost.

Wolfsburg expects half of all Ups sold to be the five-door.

By Marcus Roberts