Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding If you thought there was nothing wrong with the Volkswagen Up! that a little body cladding wouldn't fix, you're in luck. VW has officially pulled the wraps off the production version of the Cross Up!, and its wheel arches and rocker panels are full of the black plastic cladding you've been yearning for.

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding engine

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding  headlight

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding interior

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding grill

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding rear seat

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding wheal

In addition to the "particularly rugged design and tough, lifestyle qualities" that the cladding exudes, VeeDub has also seen fit to put its Cross Up! on a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels clad in 185/50-series tires. Inside, there are new kick plates to go along with a dash pad that can be had in red, black or silver.

All that cladding must equal additional off-road readiness, right? Well, sure... just so long as you're fine with the same 75-horsepower three-cylinder engine that all other Up! models also feature, along with a five-speed manual transmission sending power to the front wheels, again, just like all other Up! models. The Cross Up! appears to have a taller ride height than other models, but we haven't been able to find out what – if any – changes have been made.

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

Sales begin in mainland Europe this summer, and the car may make it to the UK at some point. Don't expect to see the machine traversing the Rubicon Trail here in the States, though. And with that, we hope you'll join us in the rugged outdoor confines of your local mall's parking garage. But first, scroll down below for the official press release.

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding