The VW UP Gti - What do we all think?

Suzuki..hmm, they make good wheelchairs.

Most of its cars are superb little bits of kit, these days (and previously in some cases, too, particularly the Swift). A real shame it isn't more popular at the moment. Fingers crossed the market starts recognising them a bit more.
 
Some relatively inexpensive PCP deals direct from VW already. £3300 down and £130 a month for 4 years.

NB. I haven't looked elsewhere and nor is this necessarily ridiculous cheap, but I thought it low enough to warrant mentioning...

It seems incredibly expensive to me.

That's almost 10 grand to borrow an Up for 4 years, you could buy it outright for not much more?!

How could you think that was noteworthy :D
 
It seems incredibly expensive to me.

That's almost 10 grand to borrow an Up for 4 years, you could buy it outright for not much more?!

How could you think that was noteworthy :D

Yea, for another £4k (or almost 50% more, let's run with that after a few options)...

Well, I was just thinking along the lines of those looking for something compact and fun without immediately breaking the bank. :)

Found some far better PCH deals now but, as mentioned, just thought that quite an enticing initial monthly rate (given that this is all most often look at, even incorrectly so...).

Associate has passed on this PCH deal: £900 deposit, £220 a month, 10k a year. More tolerable.
 
How do they compare on size, price and performance? 113hp in something under a ton won't be lifeless with me at the wheel :D Each to their own, but the Swift is too big for me (like DampDog, I love tiny cars, when I win the lottery friday I'll be getting one of those revamped old minis too)

The Swift is not exactly a big car. 140BHP with a great engine found in the Vitara, lightweight, cost around 14k. So around the same price.

Lifeless as in VW are extremely dull to drive and characterless cars, sorry if that offends anyone, they just are the equivalent of white goods for me. Speed or sense of speed doesn't make a car fun. The previous two Swift are a good example, not the fastest or most powerful of cars, but just great fun with bags of character.
 
Most of its cars are superb little bits of kit, these days (and previously in some cases, too, particularly the Swift). A real shame it isn't more popular at the moment. Fingers crossed the market starts recognising them a bit more.

Such a shame they aren't recognized more, the Swift, Ignis and Vitara are superb cars. Suzuki are a great engineering led company and can make some great products.
 
So what is the general consensus on the petrol particulate filter that these are going to come with? AFAIK there aren't many cars with these at the moment? I assume it doesn't use ad blue so does it overfuel to create a secondary combustion like the diesel equivalent?

The more I think about it the more this car appeals to me but is completely unsuitable in my current situation with a compulsory company car.
 
So what is the general consensus on the petrol particulate filter that these are going to come with? AFAIK there aren't many cars with these at the moment? I assume it doesn't use ad blue so does it overfuel to create a secondary combustion like the diesel equivalent?

The more I think about it the more this car appeals to me but is completely unsuitable in my current situation with a compulsory company car.

Dunno not really looked into particulate filter use on petrol engines. Not even sure VW are the first to use them, think I read something about Mercedes or BMW also having them in the pipeline. I would imagine before long they will be fitted to all petrol units. My only concern would be, with them being early adopters whether they get the technology right and more to the point reliable in the long term. VW have been building cars since 1937 and still cant get to grips with making a reliable timing chain. I'm sure it will become the "norm" throughout the industry, while the cynic in me thinks it's just something else to knock the car for come MOT time. Cars are already crammed full of sensors and transducers that put them beyond the average DIY motorist.

Car wise I like it, I like small cars. It looks compact, quick enough and should hopefully be reliable, no doubt resale values will hold up very well. Things I don't like are the painted doors inside the car, I thought we'd given that up in the 70's. Little phone carrier thingy looks crap. Straight out of Halfords, boy racer aisle. Looks like it's been done on the cheap. Arguably there are a few small cars that are way better spec'd kit wise for the money albeit they don't have a GTi badge.
 
This seems like a step backward from the Lupo GTI. The Lupo GTI has over this rear disc brakes, Xenon head lights, more power, lighter weight, more exclusive and is arguably better looking. Would much rather spend half the budget on a fresh Japanese import. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Vol...168502?hash=item3af3d8b3f6:g:i4wAAOSwhYdZ204l

That said these type of cars are immensely fun as you have to keep your momentum and get your gear changes bang on to get the most out of it. I have the OG Swift Sport (known as the Ignis Sport over here) as a daily driver which is 930KG and 115BHP so very similar in spec to the UP! GTi.
 
Why are people worried about a tiny, lightweight city cars having drums brakes on the back? It won't make any significant difference to the braking performance, and means you get a decent handbrake.

Drum brakes are horrible. There is a massive difference to discs. I am sure VW could have found something in their parts bin to give it discs all around. I am actually surprised in 2018 you can still buy drum brakes new!
 
Drum brakes are horrible. There is a massive difference to discs. I am sure VW could have found something in their parts bin to give it discs all around. I am actually surprised in 2018 you can still buy drum brakes new!

It weighs under a ton, and most of the weight is over the front. It doesn't need rear discs.

It's also more to go wrong. My 12 year old Fabia vRS is still on the original front brake pads and discs. The rears - I've needed discs and pads replacing due to corrosion, and a caliper replacing at £LOL as it's a model special part.
 
I did once hear that discs are better at braking at high speed and drums at low speed? Or something to that effect? Any, asthetically it would have been nice, but then it likely would have been more expensive to buy and replace.

Dealer called today to confirm colour (red with black roof) and loving that Miltek are already getting some exhausts ready. I won't be getting one straight away, but it's still sweet!
 
Drum brakes are horrible. There is a massive difference to discs. I am sure VW could have found something in their parts bin to give it discs all around. I am actually surprised in 2018 you can still buy drum brakes new!

Drum brakes are not horrible.
 
Drum brakes are not horrible.

How many cars have them on the front in the past 25 years? I have fond memories of being a passenger in a Citroen AX with drums all around ploughing into a roundabout because it was raining!

They make a good handbrake but overheat very quickly and are terrible in wet weather which is not something you want in a hot hatch.
 
How many cars have them on the front in the past 25 years? I have fond memories of being a passenger in a Citroen AX with drums all around ploughing into a roundabout because it was raining!

They make a good handbrake but overheat very quickly and are terrible in wet weather which is not something you want in a hot hatch.

Good point.

It's 113hp.

It's not a hot hatch.
 
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