Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Developed to be the smallest runner in the family, the Lupo GTI was not a slow car with an aggressive look. It was a go-kart with a roof and air-conditioning.
The name Lupo came from Latin and means wolf. While the smallest car in Volkswagen's lineup was named after a ferocious wild animal, the car itself was rather bland than aggressive. It was the perfect shopping-cart with an engine in the front and a trunk that opened wide and high in the back But the GTI was something more.
The design was slightly different than on a regular puppy-wolf. It featured a new front bumper with a wide and low grille, plus a pair of air-scoops to cool the brakes or to look better. Whatever works. The 15” light-alloy wheels were fitted as standard and looked even better due to the slightly flared wheel arches. It was available as a three-door only. In the back, a roof-spoiler was added to the top of the tailgate. Not necessarily efficient, but looked cool in the parking lot.
Inside, the Lupo GTI featured the most important things for a (small) hot-hatch: chromed rings around the dials. It was not fitted with racy bucket-seats or 6-point harnesses, but with regular seats and some side bolsters. It was fitted with power-windows and climate control. The center stack featured a CD-radio as well.
The Lupo GTI was available with an inline-four that developed 125 hp from a 1.6-liter engine. That was in 2002 and some thought it was a very high power for the small and light vehicle. The rear trailing-arms suspension was the only weak point of the car. The McPherson struts in the front were good for the size of the small Lupo.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 6MT (125 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 92 KW @ 6500 RPM 125 HP @ 6500 RPM 123 BHP @ 6500 RPM |
Torque: | 112 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 152 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 127.4 mph (205 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/45VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 138.58 in (3520 mm) |
Width: | 64.56 in (1640 mm) |
Height: | 57.48 in (1460 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/55.11 in (1,420/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.33 in (2320 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in (119 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2149.5 lbs (975 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2910.1 lbs (1320 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22.6 mpg US (10.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 42.8 mpg US (5.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 175 g/km |