Volkswagen goes colour blind

This could get confusing, so keep up! (Sorry). The latest concept car in the VW Up! series is called the Space Up! Blue. It's not painted blue (unlike its predecessor) and in fact it's the greenest offering yet thanks to an advanced new fuel-cell propulsion system.

Colour silliness aside, the Space Up! Blue packs some significant new technology for the future. At its heart is a new high-temperature fuel cell. The temperature is key apparently, as most fuel cells to date have operated at low temperatures, requiring costly and bulky extra systems on board the car. VW claims that the new fuel cell is also more efficient.

The fuel cell supplies charge to a bank of lithium-ion batteries, which power the rear-mounted electric motor. Maximum power is 60bhp with up to 88lb.ft of torque available. That's ample go in a city car. More important to most potential buyers is its realistic range. VW claims that the Up! can go as far as 220 miles utilising both the fuel cell and the batteries, though the roof-mounted solar panels can also top up the battery charge.

Aside from the green technology, only a raised roof with glass skylights distinguishes the Blue from the regular Space Up!, though it's encouraging to note that even with all the gubbins on board, it still carries four passengers and a decent amount of luggage. How far it is from production though, is anyone's guess.

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