Volkswagen LUPO RANGE
Volkswagens Lupo Is Another Citycar Able To Show Us The Fashionable Side Of Urban Transport. Jonathan Crouch Reports
Listen carefully, or this might get a bit complicated. There are Superminis and Citycars right? The first double as acceptable compact family transport: the second pretty much restrict you to running the kids around town. Well now theres a niche within a niche: a choice between Sensible and Stylish Citycars.
Sensible Citycars (like SEATs Arosa and various Oriental offerings) generally provide little more than basic A to B transport. But it doesnt have to be like that. Fords Ka was the first rival to show that the same job could be done more stylishly, a theme since taken up by the car featured here, Volkswagens Lupo. Stylish Citycars like these are pretty much classless, as at home at Harrods as they are at Halfords.
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Even if you didnt know that
Volkswagen was targeting this fashion-conscious little market niche, you might guess the fact on first acquaintance. Those staring circular headlamps and smiling friendly front grille create a look thats just as trendy and arguably more endearing. Under the skin, its exactly the same car as SEATs Arosa, but you wouldnt know that unless you were an industry anorak. Nor would you guess the Lupos heritage once inside.
Instead of the usual rather boring layout, its all rather a shock. In a rush of blood to the head, the German designers decided on silver-rimmed Italianate twin instrument dials featuring Allen bolts and soothing blue back-lighting at night. Its all rather funky, creating the kind of car that makes you feel good about yourself. Yet at the same time, it all feels comfortably sensible too.
Theres the unrivalled Volkswagen build quality as well as a host of nice detail touches that set the Lupo apart from Sensible Citycars: the expensively textured dash plastics, the soft-return grab handles, the standard
seat and wheel height adjustment.
"The Lupos a class act, no doubt about it"
Buyers can choose between six engines on offer here at prices ranging between £7,880 and £13,610, depending on your choice of engine and trim level (choose either E ,S, Sport or GTI). To put that into perspective, youll pay about the same for the basic version as you would for a Ka or an entry-level Polo which sounds alright. Its only when you begin to compare against sensible Citycars like the SEAT Arosa that you might find those costs a bit pricey. The cheapest version has a slightly smaller engine than the
Ford a 50bhp 1.
0-litre unit but unlike the Ka, if thats a problem, you can trade up to a whole range of other powerplants. At the moment, there are five: two 16v 1.4s developing either 75 or 100bhp and two diesels - a 60bhp 1.7-litre unit and an altogether more appealing 75bhp three cylinder diesel developing 75bhp (only offered in Sport form). The more aggressive-looking flagship 125bhp GTi version retails at £13,610 and offers an alternative for those who find the standard Lupo styling too cute.
The entry-level 1.0-litre version that most will choose cant rival the GTIs looks, but it still returns a more than respectable 48.7mpg in mixed use. Dont expect fireworks on the move however.
Sixty is 18.4s away in this base variant on the way to just 91mph. Still, the engines reasonably willing and anyway, you dont buy a car like this to be first away from the lights. If you do need a little extra oomph, the next model up (the 75bhp 1.
4) manages 0-60mph in 12.0s en route to 107mph. If thats not enough, youre either shopping for the wrong car or you need to try the 100bhp 1.4-litre Lupo Sport, which makes sixty in 10.
0s on the way to 116mph. GTI apart, in terms of handling as well as power, this is not a three-door for enthusiasts. Volkswagen admit that the ride is biased towards comfort, which would make the Lupo an excellent motorway car were it able to be just a little more refined. Not that youre likely to find many noises emanating from the fixtures and fittings.
Its all screwed together with just the same kind of quality youd find in a £25,000 Volkswagen Passat. And, just like the Passat, twin front airbags are standard on all models uniquely in this class. Standard power steering is nice too, and you do also get a three year unlimited mileage warranty and twelve years of anti-corrosion cover. In contrast, Ford will offer you just twelve months and six years respectively.
Accommodation? Well, its much as you would expect. Good at the front but really comfortable only for kids at the back. Dont go expecting too much of the boot either, though it should easily hold a weeks shopping. But here, Im getting all practical.
The Lupos a class act, no doubt about it,
smart to be seen in and economical to own. If the Kas too extreme, then thisll do nicely thank you.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Lupo range
PRICES: £7,880-£13,610 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-11
PERFORMANCE: [1.0] 0-60mph 18.4s / Max Speed 91mph
CO2 EMISSIONS: 119-178g/km
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0] (urban) 37.2mpg / (extra urban) 58.9mpg / (combined) 48.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height" 139/71/57"
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