VW Up GTI 'Clubsport' | Spotted

The standard Up GTI didn't quite hit the spot, but this one looks just the ticket

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 4 January 2024 / Loading comments

It’s almost a year to the day that VW confirmed the Up GTI would be taken off sale. Back then there was some hope that it might return, with discussion about fulfilling existing orders and potential timeframes, but it was always faint; the final nail in the GTI’s coffin came when VW announced the end of the Up entirely at the end of last year. Sometimes the little pocket rocket felt like a car that had been off sale more than it had been on.

And while the future looks brighter for compact, fast VWs than for some other brands (see the ID GTI), it’s hard not to be sad at the demise of another small, simple, fairly affordable performance car. The Up wasn’t the best hot hatch ever made, far from it, but it looked cool, made a fun noise, and could put a smile on your face. There really aren’t many cars left at less than £20,000 that will do that, and there arguably should be.

At least the GTI was popular while it was possible to buy one, meaning there are a decent amount of them available secondhand. Easy to make a decision on one, too, given the options that were available didn’t significantly alter the experience. Whether three-door or five, the 115hp turbo triple, six-speed manual and modest dynamic limits remained the same.

This particular Up stands out as something a little different, however. A 2022 car (making it one of the newest available on PH), it’s been treated to a raft of modifications that make it even smarter looking and hopefully better to drive as well. Perhaps the most notable change is inside, where it’s been converted to a two seat layout and the front chairs swapped for a pair of stunning Cobra Nogaro buckets. Trimmed in the Jacara tartan trim (and retaining the heated element), they really set off the interior nicely, and promise a much improved driving position over the standard, rather perched setup. As well they might for almost £3,500…

Additionally, this Up has had thousands spent on the wheels and suspension, with KW V1 coilovers fitted early on its life and paired with some lovely OZ Ultraleggera wheels. Notably they’re an inch smaller than standard, at 16-inch, but because the whole car sits better on its new suspension it looks anything but underwheeled. It wouldn’t be a surprise to find this GTI rides better than standard with more expensive springs and dampers plus what must be lighter wheels. The tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 3s, and the brakes have been upgraded with EBC discs and pads. The appeal of the Up wasn’t really in sheer performance, though that will have been improved slightly here (and the aural experience even more significantly) with the fitment of a Forge intake and Milltek exhaust. The chirps and flutters of the standard three-cylinder were endearing enough, so this ought to be great.

There are lots of worthwhile tweaks, basically; the kind of stuff that ought to get the most out of a package that never quite hit the spot to start with but which are probably too extreme for the factory to sign off on. Additionally, this Up is a really well presented one, with PPF applied from new and 15,000 miles covered since (the required service in that time is done; another is due in March). It looks as close to new (but improved) as you’re now likely to find.

This one is for sale at £18,975, predictably enough making it the most expensive Up GTI currently for sale on PH. Gauging values of these little cars is tricky, given it launched at £14k and went off sale very few years later in the same state at £18k. Whatever the case, there still aren’t any around for less than £10k, so an Up seems a reasonably safe space for the cash. Creating a car like this again would undoubtedly cost a heck of a lot more than what’s being asked, furthermore. And without wishing to labour the point too hard, have you seen the seats? Of course there are more powerful hot hatches also around for the money, but that’s missing the point - this Up GTI looks a whole heap of fun, and that’s what this sort of car should be all about. Let’s hope the genre isn’t entirely done for just yet.

SPECIFICATION | VOLKSWAGEN UP GTI

Engine: 999cc, three-cyl turbo
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 115@5,000-5,500rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 148@2,000-3,500rpm (standard)
0-62mph: 8.8 secs
Top speed: 122mph
MPG: 53
CO2: 121g/km
Price new: £17,950 (2023)
Yours for: £18,975