VW up! GTI
Baby hot hatch driven in the UK for first time
WITH the founding of Apple computers, the first Sex Pistols single and a major heatwave, 1976 was a significant year. But for car lovers the big event was the launch of the Volkswagen Golf GTI – and the spirit of that original hot hatch lives on in the new up! GTI.
On paper and in the flesh, the quick version of VW’S smallest car looks eerily reminiscent of the Golf. But is it in the same league as the legendary original? To find out, we’ve tried it over some of the greatest British B-roads, in Wales.
The up! GTI really looks the part. The traditional VW GTI add-ons are present, from the red strips in the bumpers to the GTI badges front and rear.
Inside, the tartan upholstery is a throwback to the first GTI, and once the engine is running, a delightful thrum echoes through the cabin, begging you to blip the throttle.
On the road, that noise becomes addictive, and you never tire of revving the engine out – which, to be honest, you don’t need to do, because the response from low revs is very good.
It’s not exceptionally powerful, but it’s enough to make such a small car feel very nippy. It’s stronger the nearer you go to the red line, naturally, but ambling around town is still easy.
On the open road, too, that engine is your abiding memory of the up! GTI. The slick gearbox helps, too, and it’s great fun working your way up and down the gears to keep the engine spinning. Truth is, while the up! GTI is pretty nimble, its handling isn’t quite as sharp as today’s best hot hatches. When you’re pushing, the car is softer than you might expect, with more body roll.
On the other hand, that does mean this is a car you can use every day – fun whether you’re nipping to the shops or flying along a mountain road.
“The 1.0-litre engine isn’t exceptionally powerful, but it’s enough to make such a small car very nippy”