Help Me Spec 'My' New Volkswagen Up GTi

The Jaguar F-Type R has gone (boo), but in a few months, I'll get to look after a brand new Up GTi! Question is, how should I spec it?
Help Me Spec 'My' New Volkswagen Up GTi

That’s right, after around four months of supercharged V8 F-Type R goodness, the car has been collected, leaving me with a Jaguar X-Type project car (soon to be lifted) a 2004 Seat Ibiza that belongs to my girlfriend and whose check engine light has come on this week, and an engineless MX-5.

Phil's engine has been pulled and handed to its new owner in preparation for a V6 (coming soon)
Phil's engine has been pulled and handed to its new owner in preparation…

I am, therefore, a mere pedestrian, whose only reliable means of transport are my legs. Not good for a car guy. And so I asked the guys in the office about what long-term test car I should aim for next.

BMWs, Audis, and Fords were thrown into the mix, but when CT Editor Matt mentioned the hot little VW Up GTi, I was sold instantly. It’s small, fun, easy to place on the road, looks cool and is a car that everyone’s talking about. What’s more, it has fewer than half the cylinders of the Jaaaag, so will be super economical, although around 24mpg from a supercharged V8 F-Type over four months is pretty good going.

Supercharged V8 life was awesome, but it's time for something completely different!
Supercharged V8 life was awesome, but it's time for something completely…

As for the Up, that costs from £14,150 for the five-door version (that’s the way I’m leaning, although feel free to talk me into a three-door), and comes with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine with 113bhp, 147lb ft and a 0-62mph time of 8.8 seconds (figures very close to the original Golf GTi).

It comes with tartan seats, a six-speed manual gearbox and an honesty about it that very few cars possess.

Tartan seats FTW!
Tartan seats FTW!

I am, therefore, really looking forward to spending a few months getting to know the car, and telling you guys what I like and maybe dislike about it; the Up GTi is, after all, a car that many of you will have looked at and thought ‘hmmm, maybe I’ll have to look at one of those’, so it’s nice to be able to report on a car that’s more attainable than the F-Type might have been.

So, to kick things off, I want you to help me build ‘my’ one (that’s right, like the Skoda Kodiaq Ethan is running, this is another factory order, so the choice is ours!).

Here’s a link to the Up GTi configurator, so have a look at the options and let me know what you’d like to see. I like the sound of the bike and kayak holder (because I like mountain biking and kayaking), so take a look for yourselves and leave your thoughts below.

Cheers!

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Comments

Anonymous

lovely car

02/13/2018 - 13:36 |
2 | 0
Nishant Dash

White with black top, manual, tartan seats and that’s all!

02/13/2018 - 13:39 |
2 | 2
Matt Kimberley

vw.co.uk/s/2tlc5

Here’s mine, you lucky pup. Kept it very simple: Tungsten Silver with a black roof, roof rails for your manly pursuits and the ‘Cruise & Park’ pack because it makes it sound like you’re going dogging.

02/13/2018 - 13:40 |
8 | 0
GTRTURTLE 🔰 🐢(Oo \ S K Y L I N E / oO) (Koen

Is a Supercharged V8 an option for this Up GTI?

02/13/2018 - 13:47 |
81 | 1

Well, they made a W12 Golf, so if you paid them enough…

02/13/2018 - 14:17 |
19 | 0
Andrew G.

We’re gonna ‘up the ante’ with these ‘Up’ jokes soon…

02/13/2018 - 13:49 |
26 | 4
TheRossionFan (degenerate gang)

In reply to by Andrew G.

Fck go back

02/14/2018 - 12:22 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

There you got something.

02/13/2018 - 13:49 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Haha, I think ours are the same

02/13/2018 - 14:08 |
4 | 0
Aaron 15

Keep it retro ish and paint it red or white with tartan seats, perhaps with the upgraded wheels! But what REALLY matters is; when the V6 video is going live???

02/13/2018 - 13:53 |
6 | 0
Renault GTR

vw.co.uk/s/2tlgq

02/13/2018 - 14:00 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

IMO the 3-door Up is better because looks and WEIGHT REDUCTION. Anyway, here’s how I do it.
Red with black roof, std wheels, tartan seats, roof rack, mudguards and climate control.

02/13/2018 - 14:00 |
21 | 3
Christian González Alfonso 1

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Same as this but in white

02/13/2018 - 15:40 |
3 | 1
Jakob

They don’t really let you have lots of choices, do they? Only one choice of upholersty (to be fair, this is the only one that you’d want), only one choice of wheels and only three colours.

Either way, I’d keep it classic and simple. Red or white, climate control, sunroof and the safety kit. That’s about it.

02/13/2018 - 14:05 |
4 | 0
axcentrik

In reply to by Jakob

I would put mud flaps on too because it’s the uk, it rains basically nonstop there

02/14/2018 - 03:14 |
0 | 0