CreosoteChris

OK - just to get closure here and say thanks for the interesting andb thoughtful responses - I went along to Awesome GTI a few days ago and got a RevoTech remap with special offer SPS switch unit for £215..... by a long way the best-value car upgrade I've ever bought. The difference is astonishing - lots more power and torque, but in the real world that means driveability, particularly the wider spread of the powerband is a real pleasure to use. I'm far too old to be a boy racer, and have no wish to improve my quarter-mile or lap times, but the everyday useability is just great. 15 years ago I had a Peugoet 205 GTI and my Lupo is now as quick as that, but without the need to give it 6000 revs in every gear, and with half the fuel consumption. Amazing. I'm no longer engineer-sceptic, I'm a convert. Regards Chris

Thanks for the replies - especially the interesting and thoughtful comments of georgen. I'm 48 years old, and no longer have inclination to rev it to the max in every gear - and the mid-range torque of the TDI Lupo, combined with light weight, is what really makes the car such a satisfying driving experience from my perspective. I don't need to rev it hard, or seriously stress the powerplant to enjoy it. So this looks like a good option for me. Just bought the car, going on holiday in a week, so I need to get my spending under control and won't be actioning this for a while, but I think I'll do it. Will let you know my impressions of the result Thanks and regards, Chris

Hello, new owner here So I bought myself a Lupo TDI sport, great condition, FSH blah blah...... and I'm loving it. I'm utterly astonished about how much fun it is to drive along a twisty road. I bought it for the great fuel economy - but I'm thinking wouldn't it be amazing if it had an extra 20HP? However, if that means the car loses that fuel economy, or requires playing tunes on the gearbox to get the extra performance, them I'm not really interested. As an engineer by profession, I am someone who exercises a healthy degree of scepticism, and likes to see experimental proof, rather than a bunch of marketing blurb, and I'm wondering about the claims of the chip-sellers (extra 25HP + better torque / driveability + better fuel economy - all for £200) - is this anywhere close to the truth? If these sort of gains are really possible, then forking out for a re-map seems like a no-brainer decision. Does anyone have credible real-world experience of this upgrade? From my enginner-sceptic's standpoint, it seems a bit too good to be true - and we all know that if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn't true. Comments? Thanks Chris 1.4 TDI Sport, Manchester UK

Hi Club Lupo readers - new member here - and a convert..... ..... who spent the last 20 years driving cheap high-mileage coupes (think my favourite was an '85 Audi GT Coupe previously owned by Bernard Manning, but that's another story) - until 60 quid a week petrol bills finally ground me down, and I decided to go for something really economical. It was a "head" decision rather than a "heart" one, and I wondered if I'd really made the right choice buying a silver 2003 1.4 TDI Sport with its puny 75HP engine Well, what a difference a couple of days makes..... this car is FUN! I realised that over the past couple of years, as fuel prices ratcheted up, that I'd been terrified of more than tickling the throttle on my old Saab, because watching the fuel gauge was just too depressing. And 75BHP is actually enough when there's plently of torque and a lightweight vehicle - it really does have sporty character! What a revelation - I suspected I'd hate it, but actually I like my Lupo *a lot*. Only thing I miss is the no-nonsense high-qulity stereo I installed in the Saab...... better check out the Club Lupo ICE forum..... Regards Chris, Manchester