When Volkswagen launched the Beetle at a whopping Rs 25 lakhs, the budget car enthusiast was left gasping. But, now they too have something to look forward too in the form of the Volkswagen Up!. The new small car from Volkswagen, the Volkswagen Up! was revealed in its production version much before the Frankfurt motor show.When out for sale, the car in its cute form will surely be the beetle of the small car segment.

The first time the concept version of the Volkswagen Up! was revealed was way back in Frankfurt motor show 2007. In the span of these four years, Volkswagen has really spent time in fine tuning the car to speed it up from the concept to production level.

The new Up! is smaller than the smallest Polo in Volkswagen lineup and is three door car, and surprisingly is the first of many supposed small cars from Volkswagen. The car in physical form has a long wheelbase and short overhang form. The interior volume has been intelligently increased by maintaining the car length and height ratio.

The Volkswagen Up! is to go on sale in the European markets by December 2011, and will be available in the basic Take Up!, the mid-level Move Up! and the top-spec High Up!, in addition to the Up! Black and Up! White launch models.

The buyers will have an option to choose between a two 1.0 litre versions of the Volkswagen's new three-cylinder gasoline engine family, rated at 59 and 74 horsepower, respectively. The company is also planning on creating the Natural gas and electric version of the cute car. The Up! pioneers new safety technology with the City Emergency Braking system that will stop the car from speeds below 18 mph if it detects an imminent collision.

Though no confirmation is available on when the car will make it to the Indian shores, but looking at how the Indian car market is fairing, we can expect it anytime soon in the coming year.