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.
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.
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.
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!
Comments
Like this
Correct spec right here
You forgot to add Climate Control!
Absolutely
That’s a nice spec but it needs to be red
And here’s the configuration code:
vw.co.uk/s/2tlhr
3 door because weight reduction and if you want a 5 door you should have got a golf.
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)
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
May as well go all out haha
vw.co.uk/s/2tm7u
wish i got my GTD in this colour
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 :)
Something happened to the pinin??
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.
vw.co.uk/s/2tm8h
White, mud flaps, beats audio system, cruise&park, front passenger height adjustable seat because you’re small 😂