Photo: Volkswagen
Does anybody remember the little Lupo GTI? This little pocket rocket was equipped with a 1.6-liter 16-valve engine producing 123 horsepower. Sadly, Volkswagen never built a successor after production ended in 2006, but a new version of the Up! could be just what the doctor ordered.
The Up! TSI has entered production in South America and could hit dealerships within weeks. It's called the Up! TSI, and as the name suggests it uses a turbocharged engine.
Sadly, they haven't installed the body kit from the GT Up! shown so many years ago. But maybe the Brazilian tuners will fix that.
Normally, the Up! is equipped with either a 60 or a 75 hp version of a 3-cylinder 1-liter engine. However, this has been replaced by a turbocharged mill with the same displacement and number of cylinders. Output has risen to a much more respectful 105 horsepower.
That output is reserved for when the Up! is running on ethanol. When regular gasoline is used, power drops slightly to 101 hp. Torque output remains steady at 165 Nm, which is slightly less than the equivalent Polo 1.0 TSI from Europe, which pushes 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque.
Besides the engine, the turbocharged Up! also comes with upgraded brakes and suspension, Volkswagen says. However, we don't have any performance figures or pricing information.
The German company did, however, state that this is only the first of many models to be offered with the 1.0 TSI Flex engine. This suggests the Fox, Gol and Saveiro will also benefit from downsizing. It's all part of a major investment plan, which also includes the opening of a new factory in 2018.
Sadly, they haven't installed the body kit from the GT Up! shown so many years ago. But maybe the Brazilian tuners will fix that.
Normally, the Up! is equipped with either a 60 or a 75 hp version of a 3-cylinder 1-liter engine. However, this has been replaced by a turbocharged mill with the same displacement and number of cylinders. Output has risen to a much more respectful 105 horsepower.
That output is reserved for when the Up! is running on ethanol. When regular gasoline is used, power drops slightly to 101 hp. Torque output remains steady at 165 Nm, which is slightly less than the equivalent Polo 1.0 TSI from Europe, which pushes 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque.
Besides the engine, the turbocharged Up! also comes with upgraded brakes and suspension, Volkswagen says. However, we don't have any performance figures or pricing information.
The German company did, however, state that this is only the first of many models to be offered with the 1.0 TSI Flex engine. This suggests the Fox, Gol and Saveiro will also benefit from downsizing. It's all part of a major investment plan, which also includes the opening of a new factory in 2018.
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