What is it?
The Volkswagen Up! city car has been a huge hit for the German brand since it first hit showrooms in 2013.The problem with it, though, is that there has always been a hot hatch model lacking from the range. After years of waiting for a sporty Up!, the GTI is now here.
Volkswagen is pitching it as a spiritual successor to the original GTI, the legendary 1976 Mk1 Golf GTI. While it might be a bold move, it actually retains a lot of the original’s principles. It’s similar in weight, size and power figures, and is as much about fun as it is outright speed.
The key highlight is the engine – a tuned version of the 1.0-litre TSI petrol unit to produce 113bhp. It’s also the first Up! to receive a six-speed manual gearbox.
Elsewhere the suspension has been heavily revised - it sits 15mm lower – and you get classy 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as Volkswagen’s classic GTI tartan upholstery and supportive and comfortable new seats.
Performance
As we’ve mentioned, the Up! GTI uses a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine. It’s actually the same engine fitted to the range-topping model. While 113bhp and 200Nm of torque might not sound much compared to the power figures we have come to expect from hot hatches, it is the lightweight nature of the Up! that counts here. It weighs in at just 995kg, allowing for a 0-60mph sprint of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 122mph. It’s fair to say, though, that it’s more of a warm hatch.
It’s a peppy engine, with plenty of torque allowing it to be a breeze around town, and good pace on the B-roads it was meant for. The Up! GTI is not about ultimate power – it’s about having fun within the speed limit and maintaining momentum.
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Ride and handling
While it might not be the revolution to drive that the original Golf GTI was, it’s still hugely fun to drive.
The standard Up! is one of the better hatches to drive, and tuning this for a GTI has only improved on the formula. It’s fantastic to throw into corners, and the quick steering is well-weighted and accurate, too.
While it might not be the hardcore hot hatch that some were hoping for, VW has decided to make it useable every day. It’s a compromise that we’re happy for the firm to have made, especially when it’s as comfortable as it is over rough surfaces. Overal, it’s a fantastic daily driver.
Interior and equipment
Tartan cloth is a stand-out feature on any GTI model, and the Up! is no different. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with a good amount of adjustment for that perfect driving position.
The cabin of the standard Up! is already one of the best in the city market, and the GTI is not much different in general layout. It’s roomy for its size and packed with premium Volkswagen touches. The controls also feel well-built, and it all feels very useable and easy to live with every day. Volkswagen has certainly not forgotten about the functionality of its models, even on performance versions like this one.
As for equipment, Volkswagen doesn’t actually offer you an infotainment system as such, instead there’s an integrated smartphone mount, a USB port and a free Volkswagen app you can download to have satellite navigation on.
You also get smart 17-inch ‘Oswald’ alloy wheels, classic red GTI touches, climate control, front electric windows, cruise control and rear parking sensors.
Cost
The Up! is one of the more affordable hot hatches there is on sale. With prices starting from £13,755, it undercuts key rivals such as the Renault Twingo GT, Smart ForFour Brabus and Suzuki Swift Sport, the latter two considerably. There are also some rather attractive finance deals out there, too, as there is on the standard Up!.
It will also be quite cheap to run, too. Its small 1.0-litre engine manages a claimed 50.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.
Verdict
The Up! GTI is a brilliant car. It combines perky performance, great handling and everyday usability in a small, yet impressively practical package. While it might not quite be the successor to the original Golf GTI, it’s definitely up there.
It’s not perfect, with a synthesised engine note being our main gripe, but as a junior hot hatch it ticks all the right boxes.
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The stats
Model tested: Volkswagen Up! GTI
Price: £13,755
Engine: 1.0-litre TSI petrol
Power: 113bhp
Torque: 200Nm
Top speed: 122mph
0-60mph: 8.6 seconds
MPG: 50.4mpg
CO2: 129g/km
