Polo GTi vs. Lupo GTi

SilvaGTI · Post by **SilvaGTI** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:30 pm

Just wondering if anyone here's had a chance to drive both the Lupo GTi and the Polo GTi? Do the 6 speed box and reduced weight of the Lupo make a big difference to the handling and speed of the car, given that most other components are the same, or is it too close to call?

PoloGTi · Post by **PoloGTi** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 7:00 pm

Lupo GTi 0-60mph = 8.3 seconds
Polo GTi 0-60mph = 8.6 seconds

As for the gearbox I don't know!

Post by **Josh_PoloGTi** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 8:01 pm

The Lupo GTi's weigh nothing. Official kurb weight is zero kg.

They are bloody light though... They have alluminium wings, bonet (and maybe doors) iirc.

Well quick.

Did DXG drive both?

dxg · Post by **dxg** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 12:36 am

Sorry mate, just drove the Lupo GTI. I hate to admit it in this company, but I've never driven a PoloGTI

.

I did an immediate write up of the Lupo GTI here:
http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... 30&start=6

I'm guessing that most of the opinions would be valid for a PoloGTI. I was well impressed (despite what it might say in that link above

).

I've looked at couple more LupoGTI's in the time since them. Have test driven a few and have seen several badly crashed examples (even on main VW dealer forecourts - so be careful!).

Anyway, with further investigation - my opinion of that car has not changed -- they are incredible!

However, I can never bring myself to buy one and this is why:

Â£11k gets you a 12month old Lupo GTI.
Â£11k gets you a 12month old Octavia vRS.

I still think I'd have more fun in a Lupo, but can never rationalise the figures in my head. It makes a better sound than octy and is so much more engaging to drive. You have to go fast in the octy to have fun. The lupo is just fun chucking it around at sensible speeds. Plus, people look stop and look

I know which I would have... Well rather, I don't, which is why I still have the 9n (well, that and a whole bunch of other reasons...)

Deek.

Oh yes, the bonnet, wings and doors are aluminium (you know this when you slam them - interesting sound) - parts carried over from the TDI Lupos.

KarlM · Post by **KarlM** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 12:42 am

Cant you tell Deek works for the government? he ALWAYS answers questions with a question!

now the poor bugger will be even more confused cause you've started chucking vRS's into the equation!

GTiOLLIE · Post by **GTiOLLIE** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 11:16 am

I agree with DXG on this. I have thought on more than one occassion about changing the Polo GTi for a Lupo. The comparable cost/spec of a Lupo to the Polo is appalling. The spec is no where near as good. You pay more than the Polo cost and get less.

On the plus side you do get a 6 speed box! hmmmmm, nice. Oh and yes far more chuckable around corners. Also you can get Raven Blue too!.

Ah, I can't get it at cost anymore either!

SilvaGTI · Post by **SilvaGTI** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 6:39 pm

The reason I ask is I've been contemplating changing my Polo for something different (as i've had it for 3 years now) and I wondered whether the Lupo GTi was any better through the twisties. The Polo's a great motor but it doesnt have as crisp a turn-in to corners and adjustability on the throttle round the bends that some of it's rivals do IMO. Thing is I'm always really dissappointed with the build/material quality of other motor's i've test driven after being in the Polo. They all look shockingly cheap next to it!
The Price is the biggest problem with the Lupo. 13k puts it up againt the likes of the Clio renaultsport and the Mini Cooper S both of which are a league above in performance terms. That's also a grand more than I paid for my Polo and the Lupo's a smaller car with a worse spec!
The Octavia RS wouldnt really tempt me as it's too big a car for me to justify buying as I live on own (and I'm bad enough when it comes to parking the Polo nvm anything bigger

) It looks too much like the standard octavia as far as I'm concerned which in turn looks much the same as every other saloon out there aswell. I'd want something that stood out from the crowd a little bit more. Maybe I could buy one and stick on some neons and a touring car spoiler on the boot

( or perhaps not)

M5TT X Lupo GTI · Post by **M5TT X Lupo GTI** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 6:22 pm

quite funny reading everyone's views on the lupo gti... just to clear up the 13k for a brand new lupo, doesnt really come into the same price bracket as a cooper s, or a 172, after reading the real costs on both those cars its quite a lot more. how much was a polo gti, 14 k if i remember rightly, and i know what i prefer.

Post by **Josh_PoloGTi** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 6:29 pm

Yeah, The Cooper S is a lot more than 13k...

And yes, the Polo GTi, when new, was Â£14k (more with leather).

I know which I prefer

SilvaGTI · Post by **SilvaGTI** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 11:44 pm

I paid Â£12k for my Polo GTi because it was an import from the land of Guinness!
The Clio renaultsport and Cooper S are both priced at Â£14.5k compared to the Lupo which is Â£13.5k so I'd consider that in the same price range. There's no denying that the VW's have the edge on build quality though . Plus the standard spec on the Mini leaves a lot to be desired (though the Lupo lacks Air-con as standard aswell)whereas as the Clio is fully loaded when it comes to extra toys though the build quality is typically French (ie rubbish).
I'm not trying to upset anyone. Just trying to be objective in looking for a new motor

M5TT X Lupo GTI · Post by **M5TT X Lupo GTI** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 7:07 pm

so u paid 12k to import a polo, righty ho... The lupo is 13k brand new, and to me air conditioning isnt a big deal, mine has it and ive used it once in 18 months, and as for the mini, yes they are 14.5k, but with no bloody extras, for a full loaded one your looking at near 18k (same price as a lupo, i dont think so)

dubster82 · Post by **dubster82** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 4:26 pm

if you can import a polo, why not import a lupo gti and... save yourself money...

Id have a lupo GTI in a snap. they are trully ace motors.

My mate has a 1.4 16v 6n and wants one, his dad tradded in a A3 1.8T with caractare/oettinger bodykit 18" Turbo replicas and TarOx Brakes for one in anthracite grey.

Very very nice.

They hardly lose any revs in between shifts with the 6 spd box, and thats one of the things that make em great.

my 2p anyway.