Volkswagen Cross Up!: rugged city car spied undisguised in the snow

A production-ready prototype of the Volkswagen Cross Up! has been spotted in Europe completely undisguised â€" save for a fresh dumping of snow.

Appearing almost identical to the Volkswagen Cross Up! concept that debuted alongside four other Up!-based creations at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, the Cross Up! adds a rugged quality to the super-cute five-door city car.

Distinguishing the Cross Up! from the standard sub-light hatchback is a set of matching silver front and rear bumper inserts, a larger front intake with honeycomb grille, and the customary black plastic wheel arch covers, side skirts and lower bumper sills.

The Cross Up! also sits 15mm higher than the five-door Up! and features silver underbody protection panels at the front and rear for those insistent on taking their chunky city car off the beaten track.

Differentiating the prototype from the Frankfurt concept is a new set of alloy wheels, as well as black roof rails instead of the original silver fixtures and silver mirror caps in place of the concept’s body-coloured covers.

Set to launch overseas during the first half of 2013, the Cross Up! will add to the family of off-road-inspired models in Volkswagen’s European line-up, joining the CrossPolo, CrossTouran and the recently revealed Cross Caddy â€" none of which are available in Australia.