Volkswagen LUPO Sport 1.4
Volkswagen Are One Of The First To Produce A Tiny Citycar With Enough Power To Mix It In The Fast Lane. Jonathan Crouch Checks Out The Lupo Sport 1.4
As a fashion-conscious Citycar, Volkswagens tiny Lupo is striking a chord with urban-minded motorists around Britain. The only rival with anything like its High Street presence is Fords Ka and thats only available with a single 1.3-litre engine option. The Lupo, in contrast, offers a selection of no fewer than six powerplants from which to choose.
One of them is the punchy 100bhp 1.4-litre 16-valve unit featured here, as fitted to the racy £10,695 Sport 1.4 model. With rest to sixty just 10 seconds away en route to 116mph, this is one of the fastest sub-Supermini Citycars you can buy and for the price, it should be.
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If you want more economical diesel power, you can have it without too much of a performance disadvantage, thanks to the provision of Volkswagens excellent 75bhp three cylinder TDI unit (as used by the Polo). Unlike most tiny runabouts, the Lupo Sport is the kind of car you could realistically plan to take on a long trip, thanks mainly to the flexibility of both its engines. The petrol unit develops much of its power early on in the rev range. Its frugal too: expect to average nearly 43mpg in normal use. The TDI meanwhile, has even greater torque, makes sixty in 12.3s and returns 78.5mpg on the urban cycle.
Standard equipment includes 14" alloy wheels, front fog lights and a centrally mounted stainless steel oval exhaust pipe. If youre the kind of person who gets excited about little details like that, youll also probably also like the cartoon cat and mouse images that adorn the fabric on the doors and seats. But then again, maybe not
"The Lupos a class act, no doubt about it"
Further useful specification items include power steering, front electric windows, central locking with immobiliser, height-adjustable front seats, ABS and a decent stereo. There are also big-car options like a satellite navigation system and leather upholstery. Even if you didnt know that
Volkswagen was targeting the fashion-conscious with its smasllest offering, 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 and the third sun visor above the interior rear view mirror. Despite the Sport badges, in terms of handling, 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 uniquely in this class. You 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.
Particularly in this guise, 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 Sport 1.4
PRICE: £10,695 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 6
PERFORMANCE: [1.4 petrol] 0-60mph 10.0s / Max Speed 116mph
CO2 EMISSIONS: 163g/km
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4 petrol] (urban) 30.4mpg/ (extra urban) 55.4mpg / (combined) 42.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height" 139/71/57"
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