The production Volkswagen up! city car (internal designation AA / Typ 12) officially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in autumn 2011. The model served as the pioneer of Volkswagen's New Small Family (NSF) platform, featuring a front-engine, front-wheel-drive architecture. Manufactured at the Bratislava plant, the up! was offered in three-door and five-door hatchback body styles. Its design stood out with crisp rectangular proportions, minimal overhangs, and a distinctive all-glass tailgate. The compact exterior footprint was complemented by clever interior space packaging and safety standards exceptional for the A-segment.

The engine lineup for the Volkswagen up! centered on 1.0-liter EA211 three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engines producing 60 hp and 75 hp, as well as a compressed natural gas variant named eco-up!. Later, a turbocharged 1.0 TSI engine joined the range for the sporty up! GTI. In 2013, the all-electric e-up! debuted with an 82 hp electric motor. Transmissions included a 5-speed manual or an automated manual ASG. A mid-cycle facelift in 2016 brought refreshed bumpers, LED daytime running lights, and updated infotainment systems before production concluded in late 2023.