VW Up: The smallest can now GTI
VOLKSWAGEN Volkswagen completes its GTI range with the sports version of the Up. After the Golf and Polo, the cuddly little car is now also available as a GTI version. And with its 115 hp and sports suspension, it has a lot going for it! The Up GTI will be in dealers' showrooms from March at prices starting at 19,800 Swiss francs. The smoothly controlled transmission in the second [...]
Shift the smoothly controlled transmission into second gear, accelerate, let the buttery-soft, never jerky clutch with its insensitive slip point come up quickly, rev up the high-revving 1.0 TSI three-cylinder turbo, and the up GTI spoils you with snappy propulsion and a sound that gets under your skin. However, the loud and throaty growl is only so nice inside the vehicle: A sound actuator ensures that the up! sounds like a GTI inside, but is compatible with the city outside. Caution, danger of addiction!
"I am your father!"
Since 2012, the Up has found 9,000 new owners in Switzerland. And with the new GTI, there should be a few more. The nimble Mini sports car celebrated its world premiere at the 2017 GTI Meeting on Lake Wörthersee (AutoSprintCH reported). Even then, anticipation was high, because the latest GTI in the Volkswagen family promised to bring with it all the virtues found in the DNA of the original GTI from 1976. At the time, its affordable 110 hp at 810 kg turned the entire sports car world on its head. Its dimensions were 3705 mm long, 1628 mm wide without exterior mirrors and 1390 mm high. The new up! GTI is 105 mm shorter, but 88 mm higher and 13 mm wider. Inside, the new model scores with space on a par with the original GTI. At 1070 kg, it is also 260 kg heavier, but this is because there are now significantly more airbags, control units and high-strength steels on board - so it has become much safer. It has also been equipped with the unmistakable GTI insignia such as red stripes in the radiator grille, red brake calipers and seat covers in the "clark" check pattern.
Top in the segment
Its turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine develops 115 hp, delivers 200 Nm to the front wheels (Golf I GTI: 140 Nm), accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, and continues on to 196 km/h. According to the new WLTP measuring cycle combined, the Up GTI consumes just between 5.7 and 5.6 l/100 km. The downforce on the rear axle has been increased for better grip. And yes: the Up GTI nimbly eats up one curve after another as if glued to the road. The GTI is also the first Up to be offered with a gasoline particulate filter and, with this catalytic converter system, meets the new European Euro 6 AG emissions standard.
Typical of the GTI, the latest in the lineup is available in the unit tones "pure white," "red," "dark silver metallic" and "black pearl. The roof of the white, red and silver Up GTI is also optionally available in the contrasting color "black". The smallest GTI can be ordered now and will be in dealers' showrooms from March. Incidentally, importer Amag estimates a 15% GTI for the Up. Entry-level price includes sports suspension (15 mm lower body), air conditioning, ambient lighting, newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels ("Brands Hatch"), infotainment system and Volkswagen Swiss Service.
package is 19,800 Swiss francs.
