UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hello,

I wonder if you guys know anything about the Lupo GTi - I've just been told over on another forum (note to self - christmas eve - must. get. off. computer.) that it shares has the same engine as the Polo GTi - I assume they mean cars like Josh's.

How would you lot describe this engine - is it going to suffer from the coilpack problem, or is it a previous generation - I've been told this engine is "proven".

More specifically, does anyone have any experience of the Lupo GTi - I'm talking about daily praticality - could you live with something that small? I'm also interested in the dynamics of the driving experience. Do you think it's a serious proposition?

Basically, I'm thinking about cutting my losses with the New Polo (*spit*) and this might be an option - it would mean loosing/spending (depending on how you look at it) another £5k to £6k all within six months. Should I be looking to throw this money at VW (in a "good after bad" way), or would you guys(girls?) go elsewhere when chosing your next car?

So many questions... Looking forward to your thoughts...

Hi DXG

The Lupo GTi does indeed share the same engine... a 1.6 16v with drive by wire and variable inlet producing 125bhp

The later Lupo's also get 6spd gearbox too!

It is a very light car... Many of the body panels are alluminium.

It has 15" Alloys, I assume gas shocks and slightly lowered suspension (like the Polo)

It also has Xenon headlights like the Polo

The handling has been praised by the press.

It doesn't come with aircon as standard (I don't think) and I don't believe you can get Climatronic on it.

With regard to the coilpack problem... I have just been on the phone to VW Customer Services (0800 711 811) and they have advised that VW uses 3 different types of coil pack. They "have not had any significant number of calls relating to coil pack problems on the Polo engines".

The boot is much smaller than the Polo's.

I am pretty loyal to the VAG brand, so when I change mine, I will be getting another VAG car.

Hope this helps

Merry Christmas!

I had a test drive in one of these and the best way to describe it is thats its like an overpowered go-kart!

Handling is like the Mk1 Golf with a 125bhp punch.

I think this car is VWs real replacement for the mk1 Golf

What quality of driver does the Lupo GTI attract?? I mean, I've been looking across the midlands since the new year and I haven't found a second hand example that hasn't got something wrong with it. Fair enough, I've only found three second hand, one ex-demo and one new.

One was sitting on a VW dealer's forecourt (no, I'm not saying who in a public forum ) and had been well and been truely dunted on the front at some point. Front valance offset to one side by a good few mm, the bolts on one wing hadn't even been resprayed.

The example I was looking at this morning, had presumably gone into "terminal oversteer" on its driver as the whole rear three quarters had been rebuilt - none of the orignal spot welds left on the wheel arch and liner didn't even fit! The driver's door and front valance had also seen some respraying action. Again, on a main (a different one!) VW dealer's forecourt.

At this rate, I'll have to buy new one!! (or wait for the New Polo GTI!!)