Frankfurt motor show: Volkswagen E:Up!

What is it? The E:Up is Volkswagen's take on the electric city car

What's new? The E:Up concept car is based on the Up! concept car that VW revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, but this time it's powered by an 80bhp electric motor.

Its lithium-ion batteries give a range of up to 80 miles, and VW says that proposed public charging stations would allow them to be charged to 80% of their capacity in an hour. A full charge would take five hours using a domestic supply.

The E:Up!'s styling has been updated from the original Up! concept, with the interior getting manual window and mirror controls to help cut weight.

There's also a touchscreen display, while the '3+1' seating layout is similar to that of the Toyota iQ, with a passenger seat that slides forward to allow an adult to sit in comfort behind the front passenger.

VW hasn't yet revealed any details of when the E:Up is likely to go on sale, or how much it will cost.