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Volkswagen's city car gets a GTI makeover. Does that make it a compact hot hatch worthy of the badge?

What is it?

So, here it is then. The hotter, go-faster version of Volkswagen’s cheap and cheerful Volkswagen Up, driven for the first time in the UK. As you’re probably well aware by now, VW has been drawing parallels between this new Up GTI and the original Golf GTI Mk1 from 1976 since it was first confirmed back in 2016. That’s because the new performance Up roughly matches that most iconic of hot hatchbacks on performance, size and power.

But we won’t get bogged down with drawing similarities between the two, namely because I haven’t driven the original (it is, after all, 17 years my senior). And although the two might be relatively similar so far as their on-paper credentials are concerned – the Up’s turbocharged 1.0-litre three-pot develops 113bhp versus the Golf’s 109bhp four-cylinder – the Up is a modern car, meaning it’ll always trump the original on equipment, reliability and safety grounds.

They’re different cars from different eras, and we’ll have to wait 40 years to find out if the Up GTI will enjoy the same hero status as its grandfatheror even is as well-regarded as the latest Golf GTI.

In turning a regular Up (one of the best city cars on the market) into a GTI version, Volkswagen has done more than drop a more powerful engine under the bonnet. Its suspension - MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear - has been heavily revised, while the car sits 15mm lower than its non-GTI sibling.

A six-speed manual (as opposed to the base Up’s five-speed) drives the front wheels, and new petrol particulate filter is said to reduce particulate emissions by up to 95 per cent.Then there are the obligatory GTI aesthetic tweaks from the original Volkswagen Up, such as larger 17-inch alloys, front sports seats with ‘Jacara Red’ upholstery and plenty of GTI badging. It’s a compelling little package, particularly when you note that you can have one on your driveway from £139 per month (at the time of writing) on PCP, or from £13,750 outright.

Up gti 0980

What's it like?

Our first taste of the Up GTI on British roads took place in Wales, starting in the town of Crickhowell before heading out into the wider Brecon Becons National Park. There are some phenomenal roads up here, with tight hairpins, fast flowing bends, the occasional straight and constant changes in elevation – all on road surfaces that aren’t exactly stellar. Basically, it’s proper hot hatchback territory.

Unsurprisingly, the Up GTI was a bit of a riot in this environment. It’s electromechanical steering doesn’t provide the last word in feel, but it's well weighted, responsive and pretty confidence-inspiring, meaning you can throw the Up into just about any bend without fear of greatly upsetting its natural balance.

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There’s plenty of front-end grip, although it will wash out to understeer through a turn if you’re a bit of an idiot with your entry speed or the application of throttle mid-corner. And even when this does happen, you’re never really going to be travelling so fast that this temporary loss of traction will be unmanageable.

The uprated suspension works a treat, too. Considering this is a relatively high-sided, narrow little car, body roll is contained and the ride is generally absorbent when travelling at speed. Those larger 17in alloys can make the odd rut feel a bit more pronounced, though.

With 147lb ft of torque on tap from 2000rpm the engine has a muscular feel to it and will get the Up GTI from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds. That’s not enough to mean that a prod of the throttle will have you travelling at break-neck speeds, but that’s all part of its charm.

The power is accessible, and coupled with the Up GTI’s diminutive size it does a good job of providing the illusion of speed, despite the fact that you’ll never really be in any danger of grossly breaching the national speed limit. The soundtrack isn’t bad, either. Sure, there’s a degree of synthetic aural trickery going on here, but it fits well with the Up’s “small but mighty” character. 

So, the Up GTI is a cracking little car out on a interesting road, but how does it perform elsewhere? On the motorway it feels like any other Volkswagen: comfortable, settled and largely refined, although there is a bit of wind noise at higher speeds. Plenty of in-gear shove also means overtaking isn’t an arduous, drawn-out procedure. It’s largely ergonomically sound, too, although the steering rack doesn’t adjust for reach.

Around town – an important point, given the Up GTI’s city car roots – it feels like any other Up, but with even more scope for darting in and out of traffic thanks to the additional power. The only caveat here is that the sports suspension does mean the ride is a bit firmer at lower speeds, but considering the breadth of its abilities that’s not going to be a deal breaker.

Up gti 0981

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Should I buy one?

For the money, there’s not much else out there that compares with the Up GTI. A Renault Twingo GT is likeable enough, but isn’t quite as engaging or exciting as the Volkswagen, and the Brabus ForFour Xclusive is nearly £7,000 more expensive.

I’m not in a position to say quite how this new Up GTI compares with the original Golf GTI, but next to the current Mk7 model, I know which one I would have. The Golf GTI of today is a supremely competent hot hatchback, but it’s overtly serious character can leave you feeling a bit cold. The Up GTI, on the other hand, does not. It’s personality may be far less mature, but it’s all the better for it.

Volkswagen Up GTI 1.0 TSI 115 3dr

Where Wales On sale Now Price £13,750 Engine 3 cyls, 999cc, turbocharged, petrol Power 113bhp at 5000rpm Torque 147lb ft at 2000rpm Gearbox 6-spd manual Kerb weight 1070kg Top speed 122mph 0-62mph 8.8sec Fuel economy 58.9mpg CO2, tax band 110g/km, 24% Rivals Renault Twingo GT, Brabus ForFour

Up gti 0988

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Comments
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vrskeith 15 March 2018

Up GTI sales suspended until further notice in UK

Earlier this week VW UK has informed dealership that due to the customer orders placed and having reached about 45 weeks deliver lead-times because of lack of production capacity currently , that the order book will be closed until further notice.

 

Sales and marketing cocked up then. 

 

 

BeamMeUpScotty 1 March 2018

About the (meagre) Up GTI s competition cited by @Dilly:

Me too, I'd love to watch a battle of more power-midgets, but the hopes are slim for some 110... or even 130 hp mighty Aygos / C1/ 108 1.2 Puretech Turbos.

And the actual 109-110 hp Twingo GT or similar-powered Smart ForFour Brabus are really dissapointing -- not only because of performance / road hold way under this mildly hot Up GTI, but also price-wise (Brabus at least is horredously expensive). 

Though, the not too big price difference may allow a future comparation with the new Swift Sport, albeit we know already that the new Swift Sport 1.4 Boosterjet is much better equipped, let alone the power-plus... and weight-minus.

Conclusion: for 13-14K, the Up! GTI is a tempting offer, with a certain appeal of its ownand --- if it wouldn't have waited for the new SSS 1.4 Turbo for so long, I'd be tempted to beam... myself UP! in an UP. :-) 

 

 

Dilly 1 March 2018

I've driven one and its epic

This car really is something else. I had my doubts when I first drove it, but over time it gets under your skin and you start to appreciate the subtle things that set it apart from other cars in its class (of which there are few) The in gear accelration is something to behold from such a small engine and it pulls in any gear very well. On the motorway it cruises comfortably and you never feel like you are struggling to keep up with traffic flow as you would in a tyical 3 cylinder. The 1.0 TSI is the perfect engine for this car but I personally would like to have seen a 130bhp figure which would have given it a sub 8 0-60 time. Ultimately its a car that will appeal to many for the same reason... Its fun!