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
If you’re already sticking a kayak on it, go for four doors and white!
Beats pack and the autobahn and this side up stickers
This Tungsten Silver tho
Red, standard wheels and interior.
3 door, better looking and lighter.
Panoramic sunroof (if not, get the “this side up” decal), climate control, beats sound system, safety kit (because you’ll be driving it!), floor mats and mudflaps.
Somehow I didn’t like Tungsten Silver…
Do a video on your gfs Ibiza!! They are brilliant cars!!
Definetely need that black spec with the red stripes going on… looks super mean. Link to my build here: vw.co.uk/s/2tna7
This. 3dr with sunroof, adjustable passenger seat and rubber mats.
Avoid the beats as it installs a subwoofer in the boot. Also avoid city emergency brake and this costs a lot to calibrate if it has a fault.
Please choose options that could end up being really annoying like the wind deflectors or the beats sound system (as opposed to things like floor mats that are generally useful), see how well they work and whether or not they’re worth the money. Also 3 doors to really test the car’s practicality at its minimum.
Good plan