Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Volkswagen Up! Beats 1.0 TSI
Price: £11,750
Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Body style: City car
CO2 emissions: 108g/km
Combined economy: 60.1mpg
Top speed: 115mph
0-62mph: 9.9 seconds
Power: 90hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 160Nm @ 1,500rpm
What's this?
The second-generation Volkswagen Up!, which brings some slightly fussier rear lights, improved equipment, and here, in Beats form, a better stereo and youthful appeal to VW's deservedly popular city car.
We're not too bothered here about the Beats trim, with the questionable stickering and badges it brings inside and out. It's either appealing or appalling according to your personal taste, although the stereo does admittedly get a useful boost, with improved sound quality and volume.
However, we're more interested here in what's under the bonnet, this the first time we've had a chance to try the Up! with the 90hp 1.0 TSI turbo petrol three-cylinder engine.
How does it drive?
We've always been fans of how the VW Up! drives, and that's even more true when sampled here in its most potent guise. The Up! sparkles in any form, but with some more useful urge hauling it along, it gains even more appeal.
No, it's still no GTI, but the way the 1.0-litre turbocharged triple enthusiastically delivers its performance is hugely addictive and always entertaining. There's real incentive to rev it, as it sparkles in its upper rev reaches, even if the torque delivery at lower engine speeds is such that it's not necessary to chase the red line.
The chassis remains pliant in its ride quality, the skinny tyres not delivering a surfeit of grip, the steering light and accurate, the manual transmission shifting with an easy, predictable throw. That all means the Up! TSI is an absolute joy to drive, whether you're in a hurry or not.
Visibility is great, the driving position fine (although reach adjustment on the wheel would be nice), the driving environment is leagues ahead of its city car rivals in fit, finish and ambience. There's decent space for two in the back, and the boot is competitive for the class, too.
Verdict
We've always been fans of the Up!, and while we could take or leave the Beats trim and all it brings, we're big fans of the 1.0-litre TSI engine. Selecting it adds some real fizz to an already enjoyable city car, and while it's an expensive contender in among its peers, it feels every bit worth the premium you'll pay for it.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
