There are a few cars in this world who get me excited these days. Cars are either all looking the same, becoming too advanced and taking the driving away from the driver or just not up to the standard we were used to. Okay before anyone attacks me, I do believe that this time and age we are in for motoring is the most innovative and technologically advanced adventure but I still find things too artificial and false.There is one car that has always caught my attention since its launch and before you, think it’s a nice sports car, I’ll stop you in your tracks!It’s the VW up! now you didn’t expect that, did you? A car which was praised highly at the launch, now has its own cult following and has a GTi, it has quietly gone around doing its business and making an impact on the market left right and center. How you may ask? Easy. Go – Kart type handling, a vibey and punchey little 3 cylinder naturally aspirated motor and a fairly decent ride at an affordable price.Now in South Africa, we unfortunately did not get the GTi or any TSI motors but instead the MPI. A 3 cylinder, 1 liter from around 15 – 20 years ago would most definitely be under powered, heavy on juice and awfully uninspiring. Technology has moved things so far that the little up! can take on just about anything. Not to mention how impressive it sounds even with a stock pipe on it and when she is really in the mood and you are hauling ass faster than a mechanic trying to find his 10 socket. With the future looking very bleak for combustion engines and the up! will undoubtedly become an electric only car with a new name, I can safely say that a small run around town car can give you just as big of a smile as a massive V12 Aston or a supercharged V8 from Jag.For a company with a reputation of being very serious, I definitely think VW hit a soft spot for a lot of people especially after how well the VW Lupo was received back in the early noughties.
