The Volkswagen up! GTI has returned to sale, refreshed for 2020 as part of a significant enhancement of the whole up! range.
These range revisions include new safety equipment and trim levels, and the accolade of being the first model in the UK to wear the new Volkswagen badge.
Volkswagen’s small car is offered with a multifunction camera with lane assist, curtain airbags and a smartphone integration cradle.
Characterful
The up! GTI keeps its characterful 1.0-litre TSI 115 PS engine. Combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, the GTI can complete the 0 - 62 mph sprint in 8.8 seconds. The other petrol engine option in the up! range is the 1.0-litre three-cylinder 60 PS unit. Furthermore, the improved e-up! pure-electric vehicle – with a vastly increased range of 162 miles – will be available to order soon.
The standard up! entry-level car is fitted with 15-inch ‘Fortaleza’ alloy wheels, a five-inch colour Composition screen, smartphone navigation interface and DAB radio, and is now simply named up!. It is offered in three and five-door body styles.
White and Black Edition versions bring 16-inch ‘La Boca’ wheels with black or white highlights to the fold, as well as a painted roof, mirror housings and dash pads finished in the corresponding colour. The White and Black Edition models are available only in five-door body style. Three-door versions are reserved for the GTI and entry-level models.
Cool Beats
The cool Beats specification continues, identifiable by its 15-inch ‘Radial’ alloy wheels, red or black mirror housings and Beats badging. The exclusive Beats interior completes the look, while the car’s standout 300-watt sound system includes an under-boot-floor subwoofer.
New to the up! range for 2020 is the R-Line specification. Bringing sportier features from Volkswagen’s R GmbH sub-brand, the up! R-Line has 16-inch ‘Triangle’ Black alloy wheels as standard and 17-inch ‘Polygon’ alloy wheels as an option, while black painted roof and door mirror housings complement the sportier styling.
Front fog lights sit within the R-Line bumper, and R-Line badging completes the package. The up! R-Line sits on lowered sports suspension and receives comfort features such as heated front seats alongside electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors.
The GTI comes with 17-inch ‘Oswald’ alloy wheels, GTI badging and the hallmark ‘Jacara’ checked cloth upholstery and is available in both three- and five-door body styles.
