Volkswagen UP GTI Review - Episode 3 - "The Giant Slayer" - www.hothatches.co.uk

Welcome to Episode 3 of the HotHatches.co.uk series - We join Chris for his review of the Volkswagen Up GTI .
A "back to basics" approach to hot hatches, this pays homage to the Mark 1 VW Golf GTI.
the 1 litre / 12 valve / 3 cylinder unit produces 115ps and 147 lb/ft torque is good for 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds.
More than the sum of its parts? Chris certainly thinks so!
You can find out more about this particular example here: www.hothatches.co.uk/listings...
Hatches are delighted to bring to the market this seriously cool 2020 VW UP GTI 5 door. First registered in 2020 on a “20 Plate” this example has covered a mere 3,719 miles from new. Finished in Pure White with Black Roof and retro Jacara tartan seats this car boasts the following specification; Air Conditioning, Lane Departure Warning, Heated Seats, USB Interface with Holder, and Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels. The previous owner also changed the tyres to better Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s for better ride quality and these have covered circa 500 miles.
Vehicle Report and history;
Service intervals - 12 months or 10,000 miles.
Service History - Not yet due but will be done at VW as part of the sale.
Mechanical defects - None found.
Tyres - Michelins all round with good tread.
Bodywork - Very clean car.
Warranty - VW warranty till 29th June 2023.
MOT Due - 22nd June 2023.
Number of owners (in total) - 1
Number of keys - 2
Additional items available through Hot Hatches;
- All aspects of security including Autowatch GHOST, tracking and audiovisual upgrades
- Dash Cameras
- Bodywork enhancements including colour coding, and wheel colour change.
- Varying range of ceramic coatings and Paint Protection Film
Please contact our sales team to discuss any of these items.
Although not classed as a limited edition the UP GTI was only available for one year and production numbers were always low making any UP GTI a rare find. In today’s market rare cars do better with residual values meaning trouble and depreciation proof motoring, something you don’t say every day. What’s it like? In a single word - FUN!
If you look at figures it doesn’t really have much to write home about (in today’s world), but don’t judge a book by its cover! Behind these figures stands a very exciting and engaging Hot Hatch which is guaranteed to make you smile even if just popping around the corner. The torquey engine, quality interior, super-fast gear change, perfect looks and fun-loving driving experience mean that it feels like a true performance car bargain.

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

Drove a 2012 UP 160.000 miles, bought an UP GTI. If it's as reliable as the MPi it is incredible fun for the costs. Tires are conti 6 now, Bilstein B14 (well, that probably is too much for many) and a remap to 145BHP. Probably keep this car forever.

[@CarMadDad]

That sounds like quite the mile muncher and a great few mods to the GTI chap Thank you for the view and comment 👍

[@brettpreston4497]

Fantastic review. Bought 1 of these last week. I'm 50 ( something) and been lucky enough to own pocket rockets of the olden days. Renault 5 gt turbo various nova Sr, astra Sri etc. Currently running a hybrid cupra formentor 245 bhp..I walk straight passed it to get to the little up gti. Way more smiles per miles 😄

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you chap - great choice 👌

[@keithronson2624]

My dream car! Even if i won the Lotto, the Up! GTi would be top of my list. Have a 73bhp Up! High with 17 inch alloys....3 years on, still bringa a smile to my face. And, yes i am old enough to have, all be it fleetingly, owned an original Golf GTi. Hence my 'love' of the new Up! GTi. All you need! Thank you.

[@CarMadDad]

Amazing Keith Thank you for the view and comments / experience 👍

[@peterlewis3540]

An essential addition, is a Stage 1 remapping of the already peppy 1 Litre engine. I took mine to JBS in Chesterfield, and a standard 116hp was turned into 143.7hp. No loss of engine reliability, after nearly three yrs, and the whole transformation, is remarkable.

[@m6feu]

Thanks for this video, watched your review last night and put my order in with my local VW dealership this morning! looking forward to my next project.

[@CarMadDad]

That’s amazing feedback chappy - thank you for the view and comments

[@HotHatchesUk]

That’s awesome! Would love to have a chat in the new year about potentially doing a social media post/video about how Car Mad Dad & Hot Hatches review helped with your decision!

[@m6feu]

@@HotHatchesUk I collect the car next Thursday! Sure we could discuss making a video. I have a video on my channel for my previous car Polo gti before I got a TRoc which i modified and plan to do the same with the Up gti!

[@stevenhumphries110]

Good honest review...refreshing..... lovely stuff

[@CarMadDad]

Thank you Steven - we do try 😉

[@punkoid76]

Just traded mine in after 4 years and 25k, bought it new in 2019 and really enjoyed driving it, the annoying tyre pressure indicator aside is not had any issues. Got a two month wait for the new car so I’ll be getting the last eight weeks of fun out of it.

[@CarMadDad]

👍

[@Mr-Mark69]

Best review Car Mad Dad thanking you for your advice, down sized UP ! GTI looking to future fun motoring great.

[@CarMadDad]

👍

[@pauldavid167]

Just bought a new tungsten silver one for the Cornwall roads to work. I absolutely love it.

[@CarMadDad]

Great choice of colour chappy 👍 Enjoy!

[@pauldavid167]

@@CarMadDad I will thanks. When you love this car it becomes an obsession. The local headmaster of the school here, bought a black one then added a red one to his collection. He drives them on alternate days 😀

[@CarMadDad]

Sounds like a healthy obsession to me 😂

[@paulelsey2486]

Getting mine this week 5dr kings red. After 4yrs of abarth ownership can't wait to see the back of it.

[@CarMadDad]

Great to hear chap

[@punkoid76]

I went from an RS Twingo cup edition to an Up GTI, the drop in power was not that noticeable as the Up is fun to drive, plus having a VW GTI badge makes up for any drop in power. I almost traded my RS for an Abarth but the test drive out me off so went for the VW.

[@69bock69]

I'm looking at getting one as my daily. Reminds me of a 205gti

[@CarMadDad]

Yeah I can see the resemblance 😂

[@martinallenuk]

Pretty much why I've just bought one. Hardly driving now and when I do it's around town. My M4 CS is just brutal on the road. Just can't be bothered with all that anymore.

[@CarMadDad]

Yeah completely get it dude 👌

[@Nixter1974007]

Had my Tornado Red 3 door four days now. Pleasantly surprised with the little thing. My first petrol car in about 15 years.

[@Scala598]

I can see this being a bit like my swift sport. The numbers arnt impressive but the low weight and power allow you to carry speed across a b road far faster than anyone would expect if they hadn't driven one.

[@CarMadDad]

Agree entirely SL Easy to underestimate - deliver huge smiles per miles x

[@ross3993]

Own one myself great little car only thing I don’t like is the fact it has drums on the rear and are notorious for sticking but so much fun to drive

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for your thoughts chappy

[@punkoid76]

I hear you there, after the Christmas break mine were really stuck on and took some shifting, then hit a big pothole straight after causing a blow out. Still love the car and will miss it when it’s gone in a couple of months.

[@Nixter1974007]

Had my a few days now, 19 plate, finding it fun..

[@TherymasterWidnes]

Great car. 3 door is stunning

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers chappy - I was quite impressed with the 5 door too

[@TherymasterWidnes]

@@CarMadDad 3 door all day for me mate. All basic, factory spec, no daft re mapping or stupid Halfords stickers! You are right about the depreciation too and people don’t want stupid aftermarket mods on it when it comes to buying one. The only advice I’d give when getting and up GTi, is pay a bit more and go a VW main dealer

[@TherymasterWidnes]

@@CarMadDad 3 door all day for me mate. All basic, factory spec, no daft re mapping or stupid Halfords stickers! You are right about the depreciation too and people don’t want stupid aftermarket mods on it when it comes to buying one. The only advice I’d give when getting and up GTi, is pay a bit more and go a VW main dealer

[@CarMadDad]

Fair enough chap However after seeing this one at Hot Hatches and knowing how meticulous Chris is with his cars - I’d say a good independent could do a better job 🤔

[@Steve-gc5nt]

I've not broken even one bone yet in my Abarth 🤪 Not even the smallest of fractures.

[@CarMadDad]

One of the lucky few 😂

[@stuartwaltongetprocopy2333]

Great car!

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers Stuart We liked it too 👍

[@HotHatchesUk]

@@CarMadDad we purchased this Up from Stuart :)

[@dan75dy]

1:29 Low fuel?!

[@CarMadDad]

Almost definitely

[@rscholey85]

Performance car bargain ... certainly is it’s that much of a bargain that they cut the performance out 😂

[@CarMadDad]

If you say so buddy 😂 Joking aside if you ever get chance - well worth a drive - they are great fun

[@rscholey85]

@@CarMadDad I’ll take my kids lunchbox out for a spin later 👍😂

[@CarMadDad]

You’ll love it 😊

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

Mine is almost as fast as my Golf V GTI but you barely notice the difference if you do not rev it to the red line. Hell of a lot cheaper to run though.

[@TheKevzx6r]

@@CarMadDad I have a Skoda fabia 1.0l tsi, exactly the same engine as the up gti you’ve featured. My car has dsg also - it’s funny when people take the piss; I did the same until I drove it. I’m not for one moment saying it’s a race-car however it’s seriously nippy.

[@andrewlee5237]

Well done for the enthusiasm shown in your video, the car is boring and looks boring.....”Giant Slayer” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@CarMadDad]

Have you driven one Andrew? I only ask as this was my opinion too until I did!?

[@Puddingtops]

You haven’t driven one have you Andrew . Doh ! 😂😂😂😂😂