That headline grabbing entry-level price is for the Take up!. Like all versions it comes with four airbags, ESP and a City Emergency Braking system as standard, helping the car attain a full five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests.
Next in line is the Move up!, costing €11,895. This adds air conditioning, body-coloured mirror cappings and door handles, plus a variable boot floor.
The €12,895 High up! features a sporty three-spoke leather steering wheel, 15-inch alloys, front fog lights, heated front seats, electrically heated and adjusted door mirrors, leather for the gear knob and handbrake and a 'black pearl' dashboard.
For now, all versions of the up! are powered by the same 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine putting out 75hp. Combined consumption is quoted as 4.7 litres/100km (60.1mpg) and emissions are rated at a Band A-friendly 108g/km.
A slick five-speed manual gearbox is standard, though Volkswagen will also offer an automated manual. Another notable option is the Maps and More system, which at €370 seems a bit of a bargain, as it includes satnav, Bluetooth telephony, a media player and detailed information about the car. Further apps will be downloadable.
A five-door version of the up! is imminent and today Volkswagen Ireland confirmed that an electric version would hit the market by the end of 2013. No word yet on the likelihood of the GT up! we tested last month...
"We feel that the up! is a game-changer in this segment," said John Donegan, Head of Sales and Marketing Volkswagen Ireland. "Downsizing shouldn't mean compromise and with the up! you are getting big car build quality in a compact package. There is no compromise on safety either and we are delighted to include the full arsenal of safety features as standard in the up!, which should mark it out against the competition."