Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Lupo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Volkswagen-VW Lupo has a 1598cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Lupo shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Lupo's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 978 kgs (2156 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Lupo shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 125 bhp (93 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 112 lb-ft (151.8 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Lupo you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (152.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Lupo.

The Volkswagen-VW Lupo has a Power to weight ratio of 127.8 bhp per ton and 114.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Lupo competing with the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (152.7 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (152.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Lupo generating around 114.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1977 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk2 (139.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (139.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the or the 1991 Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 (8.30 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Lupo and the 1975 Jaguar XJ S V12

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Lupo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.05 secs @ 85.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1975 Jaguar XJ S V12 (15.99 secs), the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo (15.99 secs), and the 1954 Frazer-Nash Sebring 2.0 Roadster (15.99 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Lupo equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Lupo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison