Currently reading: Paris motor show 2012: VW Up GT confirmed for production
Sporting version of the Volkswagen Up will make the transition from concept to reality in 2013

The sporty VW Up GT will go on sale in 2013, VW R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg has confirmed at the Paris motor show.

The Up GT was one of a number of Up-based concepts VW showed alongside the launch of the standard car at last year’s Frankfurt motor show. Power comes from a 109bhp, 120lb ft version of the Volkswagen Up’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Other modifications include sports suspension, larger alloy wheels and tyres, a bodykit and sports seats and added brightwork for the interior.

Hackenberg also confirmed the all-electric version of the Up was on tack for launch in 2013, with a CNG version due by the end of the year. The UP will be VW’s first pure electric car; the Golf will be the next model to be turned into a pure EV.

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The Volkswagen Up city car isn't revolutionary, it's just quantifiably better than the opposition

Mark Tisshaw

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Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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Flatus senex 29 September 2012

To be called the Giddy Up! I suppose

I would have thought city traffic required a 109hp runabout about as much as a motorway needs a Renault Twizy.

artill 28 September 2012

This is exactly the type of

This is exactly the type of car the city car segment has been crying out for. Its not going to be that fast, but if the suspension is right it will be huge fun. An no sign of a DSG either!

I hope PSA/Toyota are watching closely, the 108/C1/Aygo repalcement cant be far off, and a fun version to compete with VW would be excellent. 

 

 

TegTypeR 28 September 2012

artill wrote: This is

artill wrote:

This is exactly the type of car the city car segment has been crying out for. Its not going to be that fast, but if the suspension is right it will be huge fun. An no sign of a DSG either!

I hope PSA/Toyota are watching closely, the 108/C1/Aygo repalcement cant be far off, and a fun version to compete with VW would be excellent. 

Couldn't have said it better myself.  A definite +1.

Challenger440 28 September 2012

Have to see a real picture...

... but it sounds like a sensible product for modern driving - more relevant that some 300hp Golf or such.