We’ve seen it perform all sorts of tests, including some drag racing, and now the Volkswagen Up! GTI was subjected to a lap on the Nurburgring.
Bravely attacking the apexes is one way to see what the brand’s smallest hot hatch is made of, and if the saying ‘less is more’ is fit for the smallest GTI in VW’s range.
The Up! GTI slots in the company’s performance lineup right under the Polo GTI and is supposed to channel the spirit of the original Golf GTI Mk1.
Also Watch: The VW Up! GTI Might Be Small, But It’s No Slouch
It’s also very close to the specs of the latter, and for a car in its class, it has some very respectable performance numbers. Flat out, it will do 196km/h (122mph), and the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes 8.8 seconds.
The Up! GTI is powered by a tiny petrol engine, a turbocharged 1.0-liter TSI that produces 115PS (113hp / kW) and 200Nm (148lb-ft) of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The torquey engine, fast gear change, sporty looks and overall engaging driving experience, combined with an affordable starting price of €16,975 ($19,340) in Germany and £13,750 ($17,541) in the UK make it a very desirable ride.
Now, we believe we promised a video of the tiny hot hatch in action at the Nurburgring, haven’t we? Without further ado, here it is.