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

Like this

02/13/2018 - 14:07 |
47 | 0
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Correct spec right here

02/13/2018 - 16:29 |
3 | 0
kunek0412

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You forgot to add Climate Control!

02/13/2018 - 20:06 |
2 | 0
TheBagel

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Absolutely

02/14/2018 - 01:21 |
1 | 0
Alfonzoisasub

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That’s a nice spec but it needs to be red

03/19/2018 - 21:43 |
0 | 0
NunoJ

And here’s the configuration code:
vw.co.uk/s/2tlhr

02/13/2018 - 14:09 |
1 | 0
Harrison Joyce

3 door because weight reduction and if you want a 5 door you should have got a golf.

02/13/2018 - 15:04 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

I like the 3 door more then the 5 on the UP! but either way it seems like a great car who doesnt like a little hot hatch an sad face for losing the jaaaaaaag and im interested to see how the x type holds up to a guy whos used to breaking cars cuz i might get one in the summer (fingers crossed i can find a manual wagon in canada)

02/13/2018 - 15:30 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I think black looks rather nice on the UP! GTi, plus I think the 3-door version looks nicer and makes more sense as it is a small city car

02/13/2018 - 15:37 |
1 | 0
Ewan23 (The Scottish guy)

May as well go all out haha

02/13/2018 - 16:11 |
2 | 0
MrMental

vw.co.uk/s/2tm7u
wish i got my GTD in this colour

02/13/2018 - 16:21 |
0 | 0
DL🏁

I’d go for a classic Golf GTI design - white, three door, red tartan inside. And then you get a car which is a true spiritual successor to the original GTI - lightweight, simple and with about as much power :)

02/13/2018 - 16:23 |
1 | 0
hummerinator (Suzuki samurai, lada niva & iveco daily lover)

Something happened to the pinin??

02/13/2018 - 16:23 |
0 | 0

It just ran out of MOT, and with so much stuff on the go, I haven’t had time to fix the things that will make it fail.

02/13/2018 - 17:35 |
0 | 0
Adrien Duval

vw.co.uk/s/2tm8h

White, mud flaps, beats audio system, cruise&park, front passenger height adjustable seat because you’re small 😂

02/13/2018 - 16:28 |
0 | 0