Volkswagen UP GTI UK Review - lightweight, nimble and oodles of fun!

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The UP GTI is a car that needs no introduction. So I shall keep this brief. It's been marketed as the spiritual successor to the MK1 Golf GTI and therefore has been a widely anticipated performance car.
Volkswagen's new baby GTI promises to return back to a time when hot hatches were comprised of more simple DNA. Relatively modest power with weight kept as low as possible.
So is it any good? Well in this video I try to answer that question whilst discussing what the new entry GTI will cost, and also exploring what you get for your money.
If anyone reading this would like to test drive an Up GTI or if you have any general VW related enquiries please follow the link below:
listers.co.uk/New/Cars/Volksw...
Or give VW in Stratford-upon-Avon a call on: 01789 294477
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If you enjoyed the video it really would be great if you could give it a thumbs up and leave me a comment. More motoring content scheduled soon so watch this space.
Thanks guys

[@christopherreed442]

Test drove and went on to order an Up GTI today. For the last 4 years, I've owned a Fiesta ST with the MP215 kit, it's been a great car and still is. The GF bought a standard 60ps Up two weeks ago and it's a fun little thing to drive, so based on that, I decided to look at the Up GTI. The GTI certainly pulls strongly, with a good amount of torque from low revs. I know that my ST would leave it for dust, but on British roads I don't use all of the power - maybe if I was 21 again and reckless I might. For me the car makes sense, whether I'd call it a GTI I don't know but I'm sure that I won't have any less fun than if I was driving the Golf counterpart.

[@ericgeorge5483]

What a brilliant unbiased review, thank you!

[@harrym711]

Dude, mint little video. Definitely one of the better reviews I've seen, I did a test drive, such a fun little car. have a 2014 up atm, and got a gti on order. Going to be such a fun little car. 🤙🤙

[@johngallop4761]

drove one the other day and was blown away, as the owner of a 75PS High Up! I loved the extra style, features and performance it had and would buy one in a heart beat if I wasn't about to plunge myself in to university :(

[@jonathanprescott5292]

Decent review. I have a polo r-line 1.2 tsi, but would genuinely consider one of these for that price!

[@traderpapertiga]

Hi Tom, slick video! What were the music tracks you used for the video?

[@perfboi69]

Love it! They aren't for sale in Australia, but very happy with my Polo GTI fully optioned up :D

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

If my knowledge is correct I don't think they are coming to Aus mate!

[@GoodJobLittleBuddy]

Does anybody know if these have an intercooler? I know other Tsi engines don't which mean they're not great for a remap. This thing however, with another 15hp would be a hoot.

[@joetaka7620]

Great video. This is without doubt designed to be an excellent fun-to-drive city car. As you said, its a classless car where it can fit into any kind of scenario. I can't wait to see these depreciate in the used market so that they will be even better value for money, even with low mileage. The only few gripes I have is that many Up! owners say the seats can be uncomfortable after long journeys, you can't fully disable the traction/stability control for ultimate fun and i'm also a bit skeptical about the drum brakes (when driving this car at high speeds). If small cars like Fiat Panda 100hp offer disc brakes at the rear, I feel VW could have too - in order to stand out against the 'lower' output Up!'s.

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

Thanks for the comment Richie. Yes agreed watching the residuals on these will be interesting. One thing in their favour however is only 700 cars are allocated to the UK for 2018. So the likely hood is you could probably buy one, run it for a year and not take a hit on the value of the car. With regards to the traction control, I agree think its a shame you can't turn it completely off. As if I was to buy an UP GTI I would want the ability to hold some serious lift off oversteer through tight corners haha. Im guessing Volkswagen have made the assumption that the average Up driver wont be doing this.

[@BrotherSabathius]

I owned a Skoda Citigo for 3 years when they were launched (it's the exact same car as the Up), and I would agree abut the seats. Although it covers long distances remarkably well for what it is, the Rapid I replaced it with did the long-distance job a hell of a lot better. I have just replaced the Rapid with an Up TSI, only 90bhp and no sport suspension, but it's a hoot to drive and the turbo transforms the car. I don't think the on-paper figures represent just how much quicker the GTI will feel. I'd love to try one out and maybe I'll upgrade to one in 2 or 3 years time.

[@joetaka7620]

+Brother Sabathius Thats cool to know. I'm sure the Citigo also feels like a bigger car than it actually is. Honestly, I haven't driven any of these Up!/Mii/Citigos, but I've just watched a video by Misha Charoudin on youtube (works at a nurburgring rental car company), who owns a tuned 90ps TSI up, explaining why he *_would not_* get an Up GTI.

[@BrotherSabathius]

Comparing a modified car to a standard one is not fair IMHO. If Misha has modified his car to suit himself, then that's great and I'm sure he loves it, and it's really capable. However, the vast majority don't want to modify their cars. For a start the warranty is gone, reliability has a question mark against it, it could be less comfortable, insurance is harder to get and more expensive, you will have difficulty selling it afterwards and you won't get extra money for those mods.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Richie Sakamoto )

[@miker6298]

Tom Bromley what happened to these videos? You had such a great channel. Bring it back.

[@johnhyoutube]

Nice review, and a timely find too, as I'm just off to order mine!

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

Please spec in 3 door! Looks so much nicer.

[@johnhyoutube]

Agreed. Signed Up for a 3 door in silver!

[@johnhyoutube]

My thoughts www.arthurlea.com/Stories/Up/index.htm

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

John R Hunter Like the article John, reads well and valid points. Having a performance car with usable power is key - there’s more satisfaction from driving it quickly and you don’t have to be continuously paranoid about loosing your license.

[@johnhyoutube]

@DJRICKYDEEUK Still waiting for delivery I'm afraid

[@davidbates247]

I think the fiesta st180 would Muller the up in everyway good video

[@SpottedCreeper]

Pretty sure the Fiesta is a Polo competitor though? Up! is more against the Twingo GT and Fiat 500 abarth I think..

[@jasonwinton8033]

Prices are holding bro

[@ricardoguilhermeschiavoni8348]

Understand.

[@mauriciomartins1228]

There is an KZbin Channel here in Brazil called @TopDrive that the evaluation of the cars are most likely the ones you make. Very cool!!! Check it out if you have the chance

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

How TF did you get your hands on one?

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

Listers Volkswagen in Stratford-upon-Avon.

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

Tom Bromley Talks Cars Bloody early bird!

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

Adam Pietryszyn That’s what it’s all about my friend! Had been waiting to drive one of these for months. Love small powerful city cars.

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

Tom Bromley Talks Cars Agreed, I am definitely going to test drive one. For "test drive" sake!

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Could have been better..... I thought Ford were the only company that releases the “Performance” model at the end of the cars life? My old Lupo GTI (bought new in 2002) had better specs than this but cost me around 12k 16 years ago.... This could have been a killer with 150hp, rear discs and better front seats..... and there’s only been one spiritual successor to the original Golf GTI and that was the Lupo GTI

[@BenoitMarcBernardin]

Proud owner of a 2001 6 speed lupo GTI myself, I do agree :). I would like to buy a Up GTI if it had 150bhp, rear discs, more maintaining front seat and led headlights

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Benoit Marc Bernardin it could have been all done using existing VW parts....

[@GoodJobLittleBuddy]

I had a 2001 lupo Gti, bought it on my 18th birthday. Cost me a fortune for insurance but by god was it worth it. And if I remember correctly, the fastest Gti made until the mk5 golf.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Chris Calverley I was 32 when I picked up my new Lupo GTI and it is still one of my favourite, could even be my favourite car I’ve owned. I’ve never been interested in how fast a car is.... some people are transfixed on top speed and acceleration. I want something just quick and fun and not to expensive to buy and own. This will easily be tuneable to around 140 hp with the ecu upgrade. Could be very good but it should have been a little more from the start...

[@GoodJobLittleBuddy]

I agree, i think some of the ecoboost engines are producing 125hp which would have been nice in the up

[@Birmingham_racing]

Should have given it more power even the lupo gti had 120bho

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

Birmingham racing On paper I think a Lupo GTI would probably have the edge over the Up GTI. However, would be interesting to see if the guys at MSL Performance in Birmingham could squeeze any more power out the 1.0 litre TSI unit from a remap.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Tom Bromley Talks Cars msl are nothing special the dyno tend to make really high numbers. Turbos are easy to tune that’s what I like about them. Probably about 150bhp with a remap is my guess

[@bazzaboy76]

APR can remap the 1.0 TSI Engine to 135bhp..throw on a panel filter and rear stainless silencer and should lift the power

[@sparkford04]

From a man that knows. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWOkpJd7rbyjZrc

[@peterlewis3540]

JBS Autodesign in Chesterfield, remapped my March 2019 Pure White car, and its now returning 143hp. Its been totally reliable, and fuel economy has not suffered, its actually improved slightly.

[@TheGregorKhan]

What's up with the school boys facial expressions when he's changing gears

[@tombromleytalkscars170]

Not used to the raw power from the GTI's one litre lump!

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

What's an 'infantile'?

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Nope. You're describing an adjective.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Yes. We are in agreement. His use of 'infantile' as a noun sounds wrong because it is wrong.