Why The VW Up! GTI Is No Rabbit GTI
My dad owned a 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI when I was a teenager, and I loved that two-door hatchback and its focused feel from the moment I first (legally) slid behind the wheel upon obtaining my driver鈥檚 permit. Fast forward to last year, and VW鈥檚 reveal of its new, not-for-the-U.S. GTI for Europe instantly brought me back to my old man鈥檚 car; the German company drove the point home even further with references to that original Mk1 GTI in the press release. GTI, which is based on a model about two sizes smaller than today鈥檚 Golf, finally hit European roads this year, and I quickly made plans to hit up VW for time in the pint-sized performance hatchback. An extended summer trip to England allowed that to happen. GTI screams cool just as loudly in person as it does in photos. It鈥檚 roughly the same size as a Fiat 500 but looks even smaller, and spot-on proportions serve as a strong foundation for the chunky, aggressive aesthetic. Buyers have the choice of two or four doors; my test car was the former.
The two-tone, 17-inch wheels are a perfect size for the lowered stance, and retro black and red exterior details contrast the white paint. Inside, the classic, plaid seat fabric is great, but I could do without the somewhat garish red and black checked dash trim鈥攊t quite frankly looks out of place. But it鈥檚 a very usable cabin, with impressive passenger and cargo room considering the micro exterior dimensions. The three-cylinder engine in the Up! GTI displaces just 999 cc鈥攜es, it rounds to a mere 1.0 liter鈥攂ut thanks to the magic of turbocharging, it punches above its size with 114 horsepower along with an impressive 148 lb-ft of torque at a very-low 2000 rpm. And those numbers only have to move 2,400 pounds or so, more than 700 fewer than today鈥檚 Golf GTI. The engine mates exclusively to a six-speed manual, so anyone looking for an optional automatic transmission to will thankfully be disappointed. In its specifications, this is a simple car that鈥檚 all about simple fun, and one for the shift-it-yourself crowd who value the importance of the conventional handbrake鈥攋ust as a diminutive GTI should be. Firing up the suitcase-sized engine begets a surprisingly throaty burble.
Sadly, that soundtrack is synthesized through the audio system, making it ultimately feel quite contrived. Sliding the shifter into first and heading off, there鈥檚 a diesel-like lack of torque just off idle, but the turbo spools quickly to deliver the (relatively) substantial grunt of the small triple-cylinder. The gearbox is decently smooth but it鈥檚 rather light in action and the linkage lacks the crispness of top-spec manuals. Acceleration feels quicker than the numbers suggest鈥擵W quotes zero to 62 mph in 8.8 seconds鈥攁lthough the engine places a premium on torque rather than high-rpm fun. You end up short-shifting often, as the small engine is happy to be economically lugged at low rpm. Again, similar to a diesel. The ride quality is very good most of the time, especially considering the low-profile, 195/40VR-17 Goodyear summer tires. On rougher roads, the stiffened suspension reveals evidence of the Up! GTI鈥檚 economy-car origins, the beam-axle in the rear being one example.
The budget is also highlighted in the steering and handling; while the Up! GTI is entertaining to thrash, the steering is slightly slow and offers little in the way of feel. Additionally, the front end runs out of grip early. Throw in a typical English rainstorm and you dream of a more feelsome helm to assist in the search for adhesion on the narrow, undulating roads. As if VW clearly knows the chassis鈥檚 limitations, the flat seats offer limited lateral support and there are no provisions to dial back or fully disable the stability control. At least the overall tuning of the electronics has been made with minimal interference in mind. I was hoping for more with the Up! GTI. There were times when I was thoroughly entertained and grinning like mad driving the little VW quickly on U.K. 40 indicated U.S. mpg. But I don鈥檛 feel it fully lives up to those iconic three letters. I take that 鈥楪TI鈥?badge very seriously, and I will never forgive VW for the lackluster GTI versions of the Mk3 and Mk4 Golf. It is important, however, to get a realistic handle on what exactly the Up!
