RIP VW UP GTI - ONE LAST HOON - IS IT THE MOST FUN VW EVER?

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE HERE AND GET ME TO 100K (THANKS FOR GETTING ME TO 50K!)
kzbin.info...
Follow me on Instagram @volkswizard.co.uk
In this video I take the very Up! GTI I drove at the original UK press launch, back to the same roads for a final hoon and give you some behind the scenes info I've never share before.
This video can be divided into the following sections:
0:00 teasers
0:10 intro graphics by @haslerdesigns
0:13 what this video is about
1:20 walkaround of this very special Up! GTI
4:46 How I got 2 invites to the original press launch
8:05 The press launch car park/photo location
9:31 Where I nearly died (no really!)
10:51 the road where I learned a lot about the Up! GTI
13:28 where the press launch was based
14:16 one last hoon (just to be sure it's still fun 😁)
22:41 reflecting on the Up! GTI's demise
24:06 graphics by @haslerdesigns
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE HERE AND GET ME TO 100K (THANKS FOR GETTING ME TO 50K!)
kzbin.info...
Follow me on Instagram @volkswizard.co.uk

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

You must respect the VW embargo 😂

[@volkswizard]

What can I say?! In late 2020 I reviewed Mk8 245 GTI, Mk8 Clubsport, Arteon Shooting Brake all ahead of main media. This is why it came to a head. TBH VW Press Office didn't exactly intervene all that quickly so fair play to them. I remember posting a pic of ID.3 just before filming it and a got a call from VW to say please don't post the video before the official embargo date which was fine by me, I just didn't want to be told to have to wait x amount of days/weeks so once again, they were fair.

[@mc4130]

..I can just see Cartman from South Park saying that…

[@francisbegbie591]

Respec my authoritahh.😆@@mc4130

[@horseathalt7308]

@@francisbegbie591 blame it on Canada...oh wait, Canada never got the Up! or Lupo for that matter.

[@dmode2793]

The car I almost bought for my beloved. They were fantastic value for money and probably unbeatable for fun per pound sterling. My VW dealer was less than impressive. Eventually bought one of the last Fiesta STs and have no regrets. Still have a soft spot for these though.

[@bartb2652]

Love my 2022 UP GTI ❤

[@christopherreed442]

Love the Up GTI had one of the first and what a great price they were. You need a blocker adapter for the USB power but no file transfer.

[@gardupgti4609]

I bought my UP! GTI after seeing your first two videos and contacting my local dealer. They got one in as a dealer car, and I took it from them at a big discount 3 months later. Sunroof, aircon, auto pack, comfort pack. Perfect. So VW press guys take note. Your 'small' channel made one sale for them at least. And I still love it for all the reasons you mention. And yes, still hate that crashing. (When are you telling us how to sort that out btw?) I reported in comments before that I have driven it up and down France and over to the Alps. Two up, it is such fun, perfectly comfortable long distance, and remarkably frugal. So thanks again. A lot of time and enjoyment from a chance watch of you videos five years or so ago.

[@BenCFord]

Great video thanks Andy. A real trip down memory lane for you! Had our GTi 5 years now and love it. I Recently changed the original tyres to Goodyear F1 6 205/40 which greatly improves the 'crashy' feel over uneven surfaces.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Ben, literally a trip down memory lane! The one I recently owned briefly had the same tyres and yours and yes indeed it was a lot better, ride and traction and later grip too. MPG was down but worth it not least because the original tyres liked to bulge when you drove over a stone so every time you get away with that, that's £150 towards the fuel!

[@Nixter1974007]

Can I ask what psi you have in them? I've had my new fronts on a week and tyre place put 36 in. Thanks. I bought Avon ZV7.

[@Zero_Ninety]

I love this stretch of road. Brilliant.

[@volkswizard]

Good isn’t it? Bit short so worth driving again and again 🏁

[@kratos9223]

Great video, Andrew! I wish we had the Up GTI in South Africa; they would have sold like hotcakes! Interesting fact: In South Africa, VW presumably sold more Golf 7 GTIs than normal Comfortline/Trendline Golf 7s. Therefore, today you can only buy Golf 8 GTIs and Rs in South Africa, with no ordinary Golf 8s available. 😄

[@volkswizard]

Maybe they didn't want to lose sales of the more profitable cars like the 7 GTI? It's never as simple as it might appear with VW. For example they don't need to kill the Up! off just yet as it won't fall foul of emissions regulations for a while but the factory also produces loads of SUVs which make a lot more profit and with a massive bank of orders to get built, well you can work the rest out :)

[@kevinmcg6747]

Enjoyed that Andrew, the history and your reflective drive. It'll be interesting if you do buy one and have a play with some of the tuning scene to see what can, if anything, be improved for a reasonable cost. In some ways it reminds me of my 2019 MX5, makes you smile (laugh out loud even) without having to drive mad! As you stated, with these cars weighing around a ton it's the bends and the roundabouts you have most fun as the car flows without having to manage a massive weigh transfer. Cheers, Kevin.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Kevin, it is very much like a front wheel drive MX-5!

[@jaycee2203]

I adored mine, I’ve had Golf Gti’s from mk6 onward including a year in a 7R (the same time as yours actually), but the little Up! Gti made me smile more than any of them! In a company car now which limits my choices a bit….i miss my little Up!

[@davidcollett1699]

Gutted I didn't buy one when they launched. 12200 on drive the deal. Still be worth 10k now i reckon! Good review sir.

[@volkswizard]

Yep, I sold mine. Should have fully specced a Tungsten silver 3 door one with sunroof

[@gavinpower5438]

Great content. Really appreciate the feedback, can’t decide between 3 or 5 door , so not quite pulled the trigger yet 👍

[@volkswizard]

Thanks Gavin, much appreciated. I went 3 door because I liked the kinke up rear windows which Citigo and Mii didn't get. 5 door is obviously more practical but not as much of an uplift in practicality as you might expect as it's still tricky to get in back.

[@tonyjazz4073]

Great video especially the background to the launch. In 2015 I bought a new Citigo in the Monte Carlo trim and whilst no GTI, still fun to be had. It's still here in the garage waiting to be my son's when he passes his test. Manufacturers take note; small, decent spec and under £21K. You might just sell some.

[@NoBrakesWC]

The USB charging I've had no issues with in my connects to Bluetooth and on charge while driving

[@simonthompson9380]

The original Up! review you did was what got me watching your channel. The best Up model name was of course the e- Up! That sold hundreds here in Yorkshire ! 😂

[@petersimpson5859]

There aren't enough cars like this. I've had a lengthy drive in a mk7.5 Golf GTi and found it so complicated, heavy, numb and isolated. Great response from the controls but too much power to exploit on public roads safely /legally. The steering wheel controls were unfathomable and I kept hitting buttons by accident. Light weight, manual transmission and the ability to wring a car out is a much better recipe for fun. The Golf is a great all-rounder but rather dull.

[@volkswizard]

The 7.5 GTI will come alive if you drive it harder but that's the problem, it's so capable you'd need some silly speeds (same goes for R only more so). I drove my Clubsport S on the roads in this video and there's no way I'd be pushing the limits of grip in they dry, the Up! was a lot more fun because I could do that so easily.

[@petersimpson5859]

@@volkswizard completely agree. I managed to get the tail to wag, but it took such provocation. Great on a track I have no doubt, but in rural Northumberland the roads are so narrow that a city car is so much better suited. Same for the DSG, great on track but there's a joy in rev-matching and getting it "just right".

[@mw5076]

I use a £5 USB data blocker to charge and use Bluetooth at the same time on my Citigo

[@volkswizard]

You are a star! That's why my last one came with a data blocker plugged into USB port! I thought the owner was worried about data privacy. Brilliant tip

[@mc4130]

16:25 what a great shot!

[@volkswizard]

I’m really pleased you like that as TBH couldn’t really see what it would turn out like. I’ve never been a big fan of fixed tripod flybys but if it’s could enough for Joe Achilles it’s good enough for me 👍

[@mc4130]

@@volkswizard can imagine a sheep walking past at an inopportune moment blocking the shot!

[@horseathalt7308]

Big issue with the Up! GTI is that the wheels spec'd were just too big and heavy! They should have gone smaller and lighter for less "unsprung weight".

[@volkswizard]

If you fit wider tyres it partially fixes the crashy ride and tyre vulnerability and increases grip too. The Lupo GTI had less torque and 205 tyres so could only be because of emissions. The standard wheels are strong and look good which is important with rivals like Abarth 500

[@horseathalt7308]

@@volkswizard I'm referring to the side wall more than width. But in any case you are adding "unsprung weight" to the car when you fit bigger wheels that are not the lightest weight magnesium, and being that these are spec'd for VW I am sure they are quite heavy. Better on this car to have a wider sidewall, and a small dia wheel made specifically for light weight. I feel that the spec'd wheels on the Up! GTI are kitchy and look over done for the size of the car.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great memories there Andrew for your early coverage of this unlikely GTI - so glad you didn’t fall with any serious injuries- VW definitely showed some chutzpah here in tweaking the uP and very sad to see it go from euro lineup- will be great content tweaking one when you have one in the fleet in future (again) 🎯👍👏🥳

[@leemace9638]

Parking on double yellow lines 😅

[@volkswizard]

It's allowed in a press car :)

[@RichGuitarGamer]

An up GTI as a 2nd daily car... hmm I do like the car after seeing this 😁

[@volkswizard]

It's even easier to justify if you've got something else to fill the gaps in the Up's repertoire.

[@AUDIDOIT]

Great video Andrew, I can understand why this little GTI was and is popular. I would never swap my pristine ED30 GTI for one though. I am sure with decent tyres and suspension mods all the negative handling points can be negated. As like you pointed out you may do one day. Keep up the great work. :-)

[@philipguacci6452]

Manual cars down under. Not popular. Especially in small hatches. Even the Golf GTI and R. Small take up leads to no more manual. Can't think of many new drivers taking up learning manual. In my 1970s Automatic cars were rare 3 speed boxes. Just awful. Cheers.

[@volkswizard]

In the US, manual has a real following amongst enthusiasts mainly because auto has been the default there for decades. I like both but horses for course (before cars, I guess horses were auto 😁)

[@chrisp4899]

Now i understand why my mum told me not to climb walls as a child 😅 the curse of the black roof

[@fatwalletboy2]

End of an era when you think of its rrp £13750 new........no more will we see fun cars this cheap again......

[@richfixescars]

Be interesting to compare to the Ibiza with the same engine, but costs less.

[@volkswizard]

Funnily enough I did that test years ago, check back catalogue👍

[@ram64man]

I had one of these as a long term rental while insurance sorted out the mess of my old mk7 and 8 other car pileup , it reminded me a lot of a mk4 gti but in the body and quality of a fox , it was noisy, you felt every bump, basically budget fun but I would still pick a polo over it

[@NiceGuyAidey]

I enjoyed my Year of ownership of my Up gti , I have to slightly disagree about the seats , Im 6'3 and found my back ached quite a bit, But i had great fun with the car, Unfortunately as i think ive said the previous owner had treated mine like shit and i had to sell it on in the end , Its still for sale at the dealership a year later !

[@rasherbasher8203]

😮up r version👍

[@volkswizard]

If only 😎

[@user-sv1pi5xo3t]

Great video Andrew, your reviews are the reason we bought our Up! GTI. So VW press shouldn’t give you a hard time! The USB issue is simple buy a non-data cable and then enjoy connectivity via Bluetooth 😉

[@francisbegbie591]

Better buying one of the last of these than paying crazy money for a Mk1 Golf.

[@Nixter1974007]

Can anyone help please? Had tyres fitted last week. Went 205/40/17 as recommended. Does anybody know the ideal PSI these should be at? I called National Tyres to ask and they said they put 36 in the fronts. Seems a bit high tbh. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone 👍👍

[@seana2755]

Very late reply I know When I used to have mine I dropped my fronts too 32 and rear 30 for a more complaint ride, 36 was just to harsh for the roads

[@Nixter1974007]

@@seana2755 not at all thanks for the help 👍

[@dujalowlife]

I would always choose the Lupo GTI over the Up GTI. When I see these regular halogen lights, everything becomes clear to me.

[@tavners8044]

Abarth and up gti both sadly dieing..

[@volkswizard]

Must drive the Abarth one day as love the looks

[@tavners8044]

@@volkswizard I think it's good looking shape and abarth bits do make it special

[@dmode2793]

Dying...

[@sanmiguel4019]

@@dmode2793 You were dying to say that!!!

[@dmode2793]

@@sanmiguel4019 Don't give up your day job 🙂

[@markbarron547]

Absolutely adore mine. Think a trip to Wales might be happening in the near future now I’ve replaced the standard tyres with Eagle F1 205’s. New tyres have made a noticeable difference for the better.

[@Nixter1974007]

Do those tyres make a difference? I'm needing two fronts v soon.

[@rogerhudson9732]

And what have VW got to replace the Up! Small car ---- nothing?? VW group, all of it, are in very big trouble .

[@paulwarren3832]

Watching your vids over the past couple of years very nearly inspired me to buy an Up! GTI, or at least a TSI, but I held back from doing so. I'd previously driven a High Up! with 75hp for a few years and loved almost everything about it apart from the lack of power for overtaking on motorways or rural roads. A GTI or TSI would have addressed that concern, but the bigger issue for me was the lack of any rest area for my left foot. On longer journeys this was literally a major pain. I know the Polo has that feature, as does the Golf, it's just a shame the city car doesn't.

[@ivanb3303]

It just proves everyday that while 500hp is fun to have its not practical. I just love my Mk6R easy going and plenty of grunt. I had a corolla prior and I used every one of those 140HP everyday and the time .Fun and a Smile it always brings

[@SuperRobbo92]

Should have bought one of these when they first came out, used prices for these aren’t hugely different to what they were brand new then! Still love the look of these little cars though.

[@wynhughes9072]

Good video Andrew. I live in S.Wales, you were lucky with the weather. We would have loved a GTi UP! but they don't do a dsg version unfortunately. May have to look at a Polo GTi dsg. Unless you know of anyone who could convert a UP! GTi from man. to auto?

[@volkswizard]

Thanks 👍 Yes indeed re weather, the morning was pretty bad but as I arrived it improved a lot. The nearest to an Up! GTI with DSG is Ibiza 1.0 TSI FR, a great car. The only Up! auto has the ASG gearbox and this is very poor so I wouldn't want that strapped to my Up! GTI. I'd imagine the engine bay is too small for the Ibiza's DSG

[@wynhughes9072]

​@@volkswizard...Already have an UP with the ASG gearbox, and it's no dsg by any means. But my wife especially would have loved an UP dsg. It is a pity VW/ Audi Driver magazine is no more. Great magazine as was Safer Motoring before it.

[@sexytasmin]

It’s very sad!!

[@volkswizard]

It is!

[@RickGTI2019]

The VW that Americans needed, but knew nothing about ! Great job, video ! Thanks, RickGTI….. 🇺🇸🌴

[@stephenhulbert3500]

I have the TSI which was discontinued even sooner. Pity, as it has much of the fun of the Gti without as harsh a ride or the unnecessary extra cabin noise (aren't they noisy enough already?). Obviously down on power and looks, but hey ho. I reckon it could be remapped to Gti power if I really wanted.

[@stevesas632]

The Lupo so much better looking than the Up. Also as a proper driver, should auto headlights matter at all? Can't see many missing the Up, you can always get something better like a Suzuki Swift Sport.

[@rogerhudson9732]

Suzuki, made in Slovakia, are eating VWs lunch --serve VW right for ignoring the city car market.

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

I bought my 2018 full spec from a petrol head who pampered the car. Own it for 3 years now. Do the maintenance myself, driving 50MPG when going to work. Don't use it a lot though, have the idea I might never sell it and keep it in perfect state. Just today drove the new Model 3, and although that's a perfect car it also is boring. The UP never is.

[@erhantimur]

I had a VW Move Up! purchased new in September 2012, After 10 years of driving I sold it in August 2022, I miss the driving experience dearly. Long live the Up!

[@briankeenan6553]

I love mine,still use it more than the R. Stage 1 racingline and changed tyres and it rocks !!

[@marcvanweert85]

Another brilliant video and glad you went back to my home county . Would you buy another up gti again ?

[@garymcgregor7048]

Ah I loved VW DRIVER magazine. Why did it stop. 😢

[@davidhayes4814]

Your genuine affection for both the car and those Welsh roads is addictive.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks David, I enjoyed both more than expected

[@jonathonbrett-qn1ic]

Brilliant little VW GTI Great episode thank you Vdub :)

[@volkswizard]

Glad you enjoyed it JB!

[@horseathalt7308]

Once again VW in the USA never gave their customers the chance here to buy this amazing compact which in my view was the true successor to the original MKI Golf GTI of the 1970s and early 80s! I don't even know why VWoA bothers to try and sell cars in the USA, they just don't care about what their potential customers want to buy! We also never got the Lupo, of any trim level, I would have put my money down on the Lupo GTI the moment they offered here in the states!

[@ethanhulme2564]

You’re bang on with the Bluetooth and USB. Complete pain in the arse😂

[@steff7839]

Get a usb data block cable and you can charge and just rely on Bluetooth to connect to the stereo.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Why are they dropping it, anyone know? Maybe its an older design but i dont understand why they are going so upmarket, with bigger and bigger cars. Surely theres a market for a city sized quality product, in these difficult times.

[@volkswizard]

The usual reason is profit. Euro 7 emissions regs have been suggested but this doesn't really affect it and if it did it wouldn't be for a while yet. My guess is VW have only so much capacity in factories and now semi-conductors are available again they have a huge order bank to process and a lot of these will be much more profitable SUVs which VW's Bratislava plant also builds. So bye bye Up. www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/volkswagen-slovakia-a-s-3740

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

​​@@volkswizard yes of course it's about money, it always is. Bye bye up....bye bye peoples car, hello mobile status symbols....hello Eurowagen.

[@Nixter1974007]

Needing front tyres within a month. Been told to go 205. Anyone recommend a decent brand? Wouldnt put cheap junk on mine. Had the car 3 months and it's a hoot. Not as economical as I'd have thought though . Averaging mid 40s

[@CHZ8959]

205/40 in PS4/PS5 or Rainsports

[@Nixter1974007]

@@CHZ8959 thanks for the tip. Car going in tomorrow for new rubber and tracking done too. Got a decent amount off, 10% off the tyres and half price alignment. Booked in tomorrow afternoon. Thanks. Decided to go for Avon ZV7 rubber.

[@mrlionrocks]

Old school hatch...love it 👍🏻

[@vr6280]

I’m gutting as I really like the UP GTI (despite the Mrs not letting me have one lol 😂)

[@Quickb3n]

Interesting, i see Ups absolutely everywhere. I'd assumed they must've been an absolute cash cow for VW.

[@volkswizard]

No, very small margins but helped by time on sale

[@vr6280]

Hi, Which video did you show how to remove the mk8 Golf silica bag from the coolant bottle? I need to check and remove mine.

[@volkswizard]

Not sure it was in a video but I mentioned it in a Cupra one. It was fiddly and you do not want to rip it !

[@misterdroneboy8999]

Heartfelt, emotional great video. Just awesome

[@volkswizard]

Thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it

[@njt937]

Gutted only live 10 mins from crickhowell would have loved to have seen yourself and the car 🤦‍♂️😂

[@njt937]

Would you still buy one today thinking of getting one soon ?

[@Veiee]

first

[@adambraunstein3283]

😢❤

[@club_rock]

WHAT ABOUT THE AUDI TT ??? ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@pequod1]

Surely the most overrated and overvalued recent VAG product

[@dmode2793]

If you drove one you may feel differently.

[@volkswizard]

Like a lot of the best things in life, it doesn't have mass market it appeal. This car was £13750 brand new and £1k would come of that easily so for all its failing it was exceptional value for money.

[@genericmodz]

They are actually so nice to drive,I've not got a gti I've got a vw high up and they aren't slow for what they are got everything you need had it for almost 3 years and it's still as nice as when it left the showroom no annoying rattles everything is quiet the gearbox and engine are amazing and if you get a good specced interior it's a nice place to be as well

[@grahamhaynes7658]

Overpriced for what they are,Suzuki swift sport is a better car for the money in every way.

[@melaniezimmermann-jv7th]

​@@UnitGorilla😂

[@seana2755]

Had both, preferred the up gti in every way possible

[@stevesmith9351]

suzuki made out of coke cans lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Zzyyxx22]

@@stevesmith9351 in the same way Audi use aluminium?