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Volkswagen unleashes red-hot Up! GTI concept

New hot hatch concept crams 113bhp into tiny 997kg city car frame

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Volkswagen is set to unveil a diminutive addition to its iconic GTI range this week, when the wraps come off the tiny Up! GTI concept at the annual GTI Meet at Lake Wörthersee, Austria.

The German marque claims that this concept is “building a bridge that spans four decades”, which references the fact the very first GTI model was launched in the 1970s.

Volkswagen Up GTI concept
(Volkswagen)

That original Golf GTI featured a 109bhp engine and a kerb weight of just 810 kg, meaning acceleration from rest to 60mph took just 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 114mph was attainable.

Statistics for the proposed Up! GTI look vaguely similar, with the familiar lightweight, “no-frills” formula distilled down into an even smaller package.

Volkswagen Up GTI concept
(Volkswagen)

Its turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine will deliver 113bhp and an impressive 230Nm of torque when a production version arrives in 2018. This power is enough to see the 0-62mph sprint take just 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 122mph is achievable.

In true hot hatch style, power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed gearbox, while Volkswagen will offer the new Up! in classic GTI colours, including “tornado red” and “pure white”, as well as the metallic colours “dark silver”, “black pearl” and an original blue hue, dubbed “costa azul”.

Volkswagen Up GTI concept
(Volkswagen)

Further bespoke styling additions to this firecracker of a model include the GTI badging at the front, a red stripe across the honeycomb front grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and a ride height that has been lowered by 15mm over the standard Up! model.

Inside, there is a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel, a GTI gear knob and the legendary “clark” seat pattern, which featured in the original Golf GTI.

Prices and a release date are yet to be revealed, but first deliveries are expected in 2018.

By Leon Poultney

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