Volkswagen up! GTI hinted – rival to Fiat Abarth 595

Volkswagen GT up!

Volkswagen GT up! Concept

According to Autocar UK, Volkswagen is looking to make a GTI version of its entry-level up! Should the German carmaker conceive such a model, the hot city car will go up against the Fiat Abarth 595.

Officials at Volkswagen’s engineering headquarters in Braunschweig, Germany told Autocar UK that the secret new GTI model will employ a more powerful version of the company’s 1.0 litre turbocharged TSI three-cylinder engine.

On the recently facelifted up!, the EA211 delivers 90 PS and 160 Nm. However, the mill in the Golf TSI BlueMotion outputs 115 PS and 200 Nm. Put two and two together, and you’re looking at some serious performance for the sub-1000 kg city car.

The engine is said to come with a choice of either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG. Prototypes of the up! GTI can apparently hit a top speed of 200 km/h, and will make the century sprint in around eight seconds when fitted with the dual-clutch box.

Volkswagen GT up!

Whether this level of performance is enough to compete against the 595 Abarth, we’ll have to see. The Fiat packs the 1.4 litre T-Jet engine. Depending on transmission choice (manual or automated manual), the mill provides up to 142 PS.

Chassis improvements on the up! GTI include a significantly revised suspension setup, with the front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam receiving their own spring and damper rates. Expect a lower ride height as a result of these modifications as well.

As for aesthetics, the high-performance up! should also get GTI-specific exterior styling for both the three- and five-door body styles. New bumpers, larger 16-inch wheels (with 205/40 tyres), wider sills and twin chrome tailpipes are just some of the highlights.

This isn’t the first time Volkswagen has hinted at a hotter up! variant – during the launch of the original up! at the Frankfurt Motor Show way back in 2011, Wolfsburg unveiled the GT up! Concept, a sportier version with a bodykit, larger wheels and a 100 PS engine.

GALLERY: Volkswagen up! facelift

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • VW – Performance is good and better than most cars. One will enjoyed it.

    Reliability?
    Are you willing to take the risk?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • Says the owner who over rev + drive like a maniac all the time + said car breaks down blame reliability due to stupidity.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • Cars comes with that package (power).
        If you want to drive like nanny, buy honda cup.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Kunta Kinte on Jun 03, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Nobody in Malaysia dare to take the risk of buying a VW. Comes from a company packed with lies and deceit. Acompany that lies will always lie. Don’t know what other lies are going to crop up in the future

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Oh, you mean like the other Japang companies that lied also ? Mitsubishi, Suzuki ?

        True, a bad company like those should never be supported. Down with JAPS and VW!!

        #Back at ya dumbass haha #Roast

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Kunta Kinte on Jun 03, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Fiat does not break down. VW does. Stay away from VW. Especially in Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 8
    • You are living in a make-believe oyster shell dude. Cars from all brands do break down, especially the higher technology ones. Just search for any car brand complaints in FB and you shall find horror stories in each and everyone one of them.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • joule on Jun 03, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    The price range between 40k – 50k (i’m not mention RM there).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Heaven on Jun 03, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    This can be the perfect city car for retirees. I want one when I retire.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Pakulupapito on Jun 04, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Why people need a small car that are powerful? Get myvi enough laaa. Get bigger car to go fast, more stable, safer, with more crumpling zone.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Sam Loo (ori1) on Jun 05, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Drive a hard bargain with the sales rep for a spare car should you buy a VW.

    Chances are, you will be driving the spare car more often than the VW

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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