Say Hello To 'My' Wicked Volkswagen Up GTi

My new long-term test car has arrived from VW, so let me tell you about this awesome little thing!
Say Hello To 'My' Wicked Volkswagen Up GTi

A few months ago, I asked for your advice on what spec I should choose for a brand new Volkswagen Up GTi that the good guys at VW would be lending me for six months. The GTi would be specced to my liking, and the aim of the loan would be for me to tell you what life is like with one of VW’s coolest cars.

In the comments, it was quickly decided by you that the GTi would feature three doors, not five, while colour choices varied. Some of you liked the red, others preferred the clean lines of the white. As for me, though, Tungsten Silver metallic looked good on VW’s configurator, so that’s what I went with, along with a black roof and a Jacara Red cloth interior.

Say Hello To 'My' Wicked Volkswagen Up GTi

I like to mountain bike and kayak a lot, so was pleased to find bike and kayak holders on the options list, which I quickly ticked, as well as VW’s cruise and park pack, climate control and beats audio.

Anyway, the Up GTi showed up this week, so these are the first two decent pics of it I can show you (courtesy of CT Ed. Matt). I’ve only driven the car 20 miles in traffic so far (I’m looking forward to a weekend blast), and first impressions are really good.

The GTi’s 1.0, three cylinder turbo engine with 115hp feels very lively, has plenty of low-end grunt, sounds surprisingly awesome, and has nicely weighted steering. The pedal weights are spot on too, especially the brake which, unlike a lot of small modern cars, is not over-servoed, giving the Up GTi wonderfully progressive braking feel.

I’ll be reporting on life with an Up GTi throughout the next six months, so let me know below what things you’d like to see, what information you want to know, and anything else that interests you. I’d also be keen to hear your thoughts on the spec I’ve chosen. Looking at the Instagram post I put up yesterday, this is dividing opinion…

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Comments

Hawkoga

Please go the Nurburgring pleaseeee

05/23/2018 - 13:56 |
30 | 2
SirJamjaxIsGoingAgain-PeaceOutChaps

In reply to by Hawkoga

Head2head against Misha’s normal Up

05/23/2018 - 15:32 |
18 | 0
Anonymous

Did you get the “this side up!” Sticker?

05/23/2018 - 13:57 |
16 | 0
Alex Kersten

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I ticked the box, but it wasn’t available at the time unfortunately

05/23/2018 - 14:06 |
26 | 0
Blade noir

This has got to be the coolest pocket rocket Alex!

05/23/2018 - 13:58 |
86 | 0

Coolest on sale right now atleast

05/23/2018 - 14:58 |
8 | 2
Rahul 1

Alex, this beast looks beautiful…May you have fun…

05/23/2018 - 14:09 |
4 | 0
Raptor867

Video !

05/23/2018 - 14:27 |
2 | 0
Ewan23 (The Scottish guy)

Hello

05/23/2018 - 14:38 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Would love too know how track or autocross capable it is.

05/23/2018 - 14:46 |
8 | 0
Hatch in a Hatchback

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Its a shame it has perminatly ingaged traction control

05/25/2018 - 13:16 |
4 | 0
aaronF50

I call her “Little Product Placement” :) but cool car regardless

05/23/2018 - 16:49 |
2 | 0
5:19.55
05/23/2018 - 17:29 |
10 | 2
Anonymous

Oh hi little fella

05/23/2018 - 18:35 |
2 | 0