VW Up GT prototype (2012)

This is the smallest hot hatch of the Volkswagen Group, VW Up GT. First introduced as a concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, CAR has just driven a prototype version of the GTI 108bhp baby.
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How does a VW GT Up to VW Up!Currently the most powerful Volkswagen Up offers a paltry 74bhp but turbocharged GT Up has a new three-cylinder 1.0 liter with 108bhp and £ 129 ft. There is no standard DSG gearbox fit Polo GTI, not a forced induction power delivered from the front-mounted engine to the front wheels through a gearbox six-speed manual (it's one more gear than the rest of the range Up).

Chassis changes are controlled, and is currently limited to the fitment of sports suspension kit is available in each Up: it consists of 15mm down high-rise, plus a modified spring and damper. Set-up could become more extreme, according to the technical project leader Torsten Up Oehmke, and rear drum brakes fitted both the concept and prototype must be improved to a disc for production cars. And Oehmke said there is no reason why the GT Up can not be produced in both three and five-door guise of good.

What about exterior upgrades for the GT?Visual changes include a new bodykit, which does away with a smile to the front bumper is more aggressive nose, complete with a 911 Turbo-like daytime running lights. The large central intake Golf GTi, mimic the appearance of a beehive, but it's not for show: new version of VW's turbocharged 999cc three require extra cooling.

 

There are twin exhausts, which recognizes Oehmke is the possibility of production (and not overwrite the boot space) but to the accountant and the price point at which to pitch GT VW Up.Other special features include GT-fake rear diffuser, plus a black wing mirror caps, while inside there is a thin leather steering wheel with the logo 'GT', supportive and comfortable tartan-trimmed sport seats, and a black roof lining.
Or at least that's what the concept of GT Up is like. Our prototype Up GT looks exactly like the other 3DR Up - just gearknob with an additional amount for providing anything.
So is the VW Up GT a proper GTI?Let's start with what we can judge accurately. Turbocharged engine is a little cracker, majoring on low torque and mid-range (peak ft £ 129 available from 1500-3500rpm) but also happy to turn round to the red line. Off-beat three-cylinder thrum through the cabin and just encourage you to thrash it more difficult. And while the sound pot three in Aygo/C1/107 soon becomes tedious, GT Up is quiet and far more subtle. Alas we hear of the concept of the central rev counter may be down to dial up the standard layout with the speedo in the middle.
As for the chassis, although the concept car wearing 195/40 ZR17 Hankook Ventus S1 Evos, a prototype of our test car was shod with Continental 185/55 R15s ContiWinterContact. Nearly footwear from serious hot hatch. With the sport suspension kit this trip a little bit faster than the roll, top standards body a little more controlled, but it's tough set-up that could easily appear a few notches.
However, as it would be very suitable for bombing around town or take the road back terrible English. The only change is clearly needed is for the wheel to get a little more weight over the first few degrees of lock.
DecisionVW will not do to the date of production for GT UP, but VW r & d supremo Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg is currently using up our prototype GT as a daily driver, and all the people of PR for the engineers to talk like a final sign-off for this little exciting project is a done deal. All Volkswagen needs to do is decide how widely different from the rest of the GT range Up Up, as that will determine the most important on the road-pricing. Expect something being sold at 12-18 months, to give the range a little pick-me Up-up (sorry) before mid-life facelift.