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| Road Test: Volkswagen Lupo GTI (2001-2005) |
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| Hot Hatchbacks |
by: Paul Gregory |
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| DRIVING RATING: |
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Couldn't be simpler. Good seats with height adjustment for the two in front, nicely figured VW controls and top visibility like the rest of the range. The power steering is a little heavier, but this is more of an advantage with a faster car, and it remains simple to park - including at night, when the standard Xenon lamps make daylight of tight spots. That's what it is: fun. It has enough power, and is light enough, to offer you both power understeer and lift-off oversteer. It makes a great noise and the suspension is set up with enough rigidity-yet-give to make a back-road jaunt very enjoyable indeed. The steering is more communicative than most of the current GTI crop, and the brakes work fine - and have less than a tonne to bring to a halt. The sixth ratio gives first and second a bit more oomph, and allows you just a bit more of that satisfying stick-stirring fun as you move up and down through the box. The gearstick itself isn't bad, either - a bespoke sporty item.
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Introduction Hot hatches are a diluted currency, as is the GTI badge. In the heyday... |
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