Volkswagen LUPO
Vanessa Hinkley checks out the little
Volkswagen Lupo citycar
I was not best pleased this week, I admit, when my quick off the mark male colleagues claimed the sporty coupe and upmarket estate, leaving me the tiny Volkswagen Lupo. I was overcome with remorse, however, only minutes after taking off down town. My gloom was soon dispersed by the eagerness of the little car to get from A to B, while the light, airy cabin with pretty pastel-flecked upholstery also aided my mood swing from Grumpy to Happy (via Dopey for assuming that I wasn't going to enjoy my test drive). As little citycars go, the Luop is surprisingly roomy inside. A couple of adults would feel cramped in the back over longer distances, but front
seat passengers would enjoy plenty of leg, head and elbow room. As a pretty and practical car for the girl about town that I used to be, it would be perfect.
And for the harassed working mum, it would cheer up many a busy day.
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If youre ferrying children to and from school, a Lupo wont be ideal since it only comes with three doors. Buy the larger Polo supermini if you want a small, affordable
Volkswagen thats easier to get into. Still, the boot, although not huge, dealt with a medium supermarket shop adequately enough and the compact dimensions of the Lupo made for easy handling in the tightest corners of the multi-storey carpark that preceded the store. The driving position is well thought out and comfortable.
Switches fall easily to hand and although the scope for
seat adjustment is minimal, in a car of this size it's not too difficult to get it right. Stylish Citycars like this one are supposed to be pretty much classless, as at home at Harrods as they are at Halfords. Even if you didnt know that Volkswagen was targeting the fashion-conscious side of the citycar market, 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. I didnt. Nor did I 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 cheapest Lupo has only a tiny 50bhp 1.0-litre unit but 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 offers an alternative fro those who find the Lupo styling too cute.
Six out of every ten citycars and superminis sold in the UK are actually purchased by women and, of the remainder, the majority tend to be driven by wives, girlfriends or 'significant others' as they say. Though very conscious of this, Volkswagen have avoided the temptation to overload the Lupo with vanity mirrors and frilly pink trim. The overall impression is of youthful good looks and careful grooming on a budget. Even so, the little Volkswagen does cost a little more than its mainstream rivals, but does boast strong residual values which will be a bonus of course when the time comes to sell.
Prices start at £7,880 for the three-door 1.0, going up to £13,610 for the GTi.
In a word, definitely. The Lupo is no bimbo and deserves to be taken seriously in the citycar stakes.
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