j37

The following is a translation (by BabelFish) of a German webpage on the Lupo GTi, which makes for entertaining and amusing reading. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> I particularly like the bit about the 'knacking'. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Driving report VOLKSWAGEN Lupo GTI The tearing wolf 125 HP bring the new Lupo GTI powerfully on trab. The force package rounds the model pallet off with the smallest Wolfsburger. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nearly already legend: Before well 25 years the first gulf GTI on the market debuetierte. Its inheritance carries the gulf IV. Afterwards the Polo GTI followed and now ziert also the smallest Wolfsburger the magic contraction, the Lupo. Already from the conditions the sport equipment makes powerfully which ago: 15 tariff of aluminum wheels, issued fenders and Seitenschweller, as well as a bulliger bumper with three salient air intakes underlines the dynamic appearance from the front. Differences to the normal Lupo concern also the short tail. A spoiler thront above, down makes itself broad a double exhaust in the center. With the weight powerfully one abgespeckt: Fenders, doors and hood consist, as with the Dreiliter Lupo, of aluminum. Thus it brings also only 978 kilograms on the balance. One did not save however with the equipment: ABS, many electrical aids for outside mirrors, doors and windows, even xenon headlights and ESP already are in the basic price of 33.640 Marks with in it. Only who courage drop: Seitenairbags cost 469 Marks specially. The interior was adapted to the sporty character. With red dyed seat belts, hoehenverstellbaren sport seats in front and chrome rings for Tacho, tachometers and analog clock. With the distribution of the Metalles the Wolfsburger has however somewhat too thickly laid on: It looks quite klobig and does not please everyone. But the drive of the fastest series Lupos is straight correct and speaks a clear language. The 1,`6-Liter` Sechzehnventiler carries 125 HP out, is at the same time with high engine speed and strongly. For the Sprint of zero on 100 kilometers per hour the GTI needs accurately 8.3 seconds. The maximum speed ends with proud 205 km/h. Also on average 7.0 litres premium fuel VOLKSWAGEN numbers consumption and because the engine fulfills the euro 4, one saves thus 600 Marks of taxes. Three words over the new `five-course` haven transmission: briefly, knackig, precisely. Just as convincingly also its chassis presents itself. It is balanced, taut and thereby the travelling comfort on the distance does not remain not too hard. Together with the `goal-exact` power steering the Lupo GTI thirsts formally for the next curve. With the out accelerating the drive pulls violently at the leather steering wheel, but applies otherwise: Top. Result: Strongly and knackig. The sportiest all Lupos makes mood correct and steps into the Fussstapfen for first gulf of the GTI.

Thanks again for the comments. I just like to photograph my cars - I really don't know much about photography, but I've been doing it for a long time and have picked up a bit along the way. I don't really have many pics of the Lupo, which is a shame and I must put that right. If anyone is interested in seeing some of my pics of my 'main' toy, they can be found at http://www.didum.com/galleries/964gallery/boggiano

Thanks for the comments. Car photography is a bit of a hobby for me. I didn't have a very good camera when I took those shots. I must get around to taking some better quality ones soon...

Here's some pics of my little GTi. A few of you will know that I had been considering swapping it for a Porsche 968. Somehow, 'though, the Lupo is just so appealing that I just can't. border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" class="linked-image" />

But what a pity that the seat backs are painted metal, which then gets scratched by the load.

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Hmm, this is interesting. I almost (and still may) swap my Lupo for a Porsche 968, to be an everyday car (my wife is disabled and I could do with more space) as I already have a 964 for weekends, etc. Trouble is, the little Lupo is just so capable, adaptable and appealing that it always pulls me back... My best... I'm sorry, but three just isn't enough. 1. Wieldy size. So handy for traffic and parking. 2. Outstanding all around driving capability. This little thing has no right to be as refined as it is, eg. on the motorway, whilst being such a chuckable toy on the backroads. 3. Gearchange. I have never experienced the like... 4. Build quality. My car's paint was absolutely 100% flawless when new. Utterly without imperfection of any sort. 5. Distinctive and unusual styling. 6. Performance and handling. 7. All around visibilty. 8. Access to rear, and legroom in there too. 9. Personality and character - so lacking in most modern cars. 10. Third sun visor (the idea). Worst... 1. Cleaning those bloody Bathurst wheels! I think they look gorgeous when clean, but so many little nooks and crannies! 2. Small boot. 3. Lack of spare wheel in GTi. 4. Interior is a bit black and plastic ('though good quality). 5. Small fuel tank. 6. Handling is a bit 'uneasy' when seriously 'pressing on'. 7. Third sun visor (the execution).

I need to partially remove the headlining of my GTi to have a small dent removed from the roof. (Some moron threw a `supermarket-type` shopping basket off a roof!). Any ideas how it is fixed in place?

QUOTE(RallyeBaz)...reckons its the immobiliser. Within seconds he got the car started by by passing it.That doesn't sound very encouraging. ???

My dealer suggested it was due to the springs shifting slightly in their seats, especially around full lock. In view of everything that has been tried, I suspect this is probably true. I suppose that goes down as a design fault, with no real fix as yet.

Can anyone tell me how to take some 'slack' out of the handbrake adjustment? Doesn't seem to be an adjustable yoke behind the lever and I can't see anything suitable at the rear wheels, either.

Has anyone had problems with the fit of the fuel flap? Mine seemed to be a perfect fit originally but, over twelve months, seems to have distorted so it no longer follows the contours of the car. I have just removed it to fiddle with its position slightly, but can't really get it to make a better fit.

Which 'ball bearings' are involved?