This is Volkswagen's first pure-electric production car, the battery-powered e-Up, seen in public for the first time today at Wolfsburg's annual media and investors' conference.
It comes as a bit of a surprise to hear that it will be available on order as soon as it has made its official debut at the Frankfurt show, since the recently-announced hybrid version is still two years away from VW showrooms.
The e-Up uses a 60kW electric motor to drive the front wheels directly, without any transmission noise or jerky gearshifts. Maximum torque of 210Nm is available instantly, and VW says it can accelerate the 1185kg hatch to 100km/h in 14 seconds, but its continuous power rating is only 40kW so top speed is an unexciting 135km/h.
An 18.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack built into the floorpan gives the e-Up a claimed range of 150km, and then it can be charged up to 80 percent of full capacity in 30 minutes by a 380V three-phase outlet.
COMBINED CHARGING SYSTEM
VW doesn't say how long it will take to charge it from a 220V domestic plug; probably about eight hours, as the rest of the numbers seem to be in line with industry standards.
The socket for the charging cable is fitted behind what would have been the fuel-cap cover on a conventional Up, although VW will offer an optional combined charging system, which has been standardised by Volkswagen and a number of other carmakers.
It supports both DC and AC charging, so drivers can easily charge their cars at almost any charging station - regardless of the power sources or charging rates that they offer.
CLEAN, UPMARKET FEEL
The styling tweaks that distinguish the e-Up are subtle and deliberately upmarket, focussing on a distinctive curved layout for the LED daytime running lights in the front bumper, and special machine-polished 15" alloy rims featuring a VW logo with a blue background.
The front end, sills and underbody have also been cleaned up for better airflow.
Inside, VW's battery bolide is upholstered in light grey fabric with blue topstitched seams, while special leather and chrome trim elements are intended to convey a clean, upmarket feel.
Volkswagen is expected to announce prices at Frankfurt.