Volkswagen has commenced pre-sales of the new Up!
GTI in Germany, which starts at € 16,975 (equal to US$ 20,183). This makes it
€ 7,000 (US$ 8,323) pricier than the entry-level Up! in its homeland, and it
undercuts the base Golf by € 1,100 (US$ 1,308).
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.0-liter TSI petrol
engine that makes 115 PS and 200 Nm of torque. In this
configuration, the Volkswagen Up! GTI won't win any drag races, but it will
accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a respectable 8.8 sec and reach a top
speed of 196 km/h.
Volkswagen claims that the average fuel consumption
of 5.6-5.7 l/100 km (50.4-49.6 UK mpg / 42-41.3 US mpg) has been measured based
on the new Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP).
Its exterior is instantly recognizable thanks to a
few upgrades made over the regular versions of the city car. These include the
red cross-stripe in the radiator grille, which has a honeycomb pattern, double
black cross stripes on the sides, high-gloss-finished side mirror casings, a
red stripe at the rear, larger roof spoiler, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 15 mm lower center of gravity.
Alongside the Pure White and Red colors, which are
described as being "classic and typical of a GTI", the range-topping
Up! can also be had in Dark Silver and Black Pearl. Designers have paid extra
care to the interior as well, which features a leather sport steering wheel,
GTI gear lever knob, and the famous 'Clark' seat pattern.
