? Cute looking. Record breaking fuel economy. Reliable, comfortable, great handling, build and spec. Gti models offer excellent performance. Good resell value.
? Expensive for a super mini. Tight squeeze in the back.
Volkswagen made a big impression with their first entrance into the supermini scene with ultra economy Lupo. Although now replaced by the Fox the Lupos are well worth considering as a second hand purchase. They hold their resell value well and have the makings of a classic car for all the best reasons, not least as they broke world records for fuel efficiency, offering more than 100mpg! Manufactured from 1998 to 2005 the Lupo was also widely applauded due to its groovy looks, probably the most fun design by VW after the Beetle. The unusual headlight configuration and reg plate gave the Lupo the appearance of a face with a cheeky smile. The curves on the body also meant it was fairly spacious as well. VW aimed the Lupo at city drivers, those looking for a 2nd family car, or for young first car owners with a sense of fun. The fun loving approach by VW was continued beyond the exterior into the interior with wacky trims and bright colour schemes. The good news for the more serious minded is that the Lupo had even more to offer; as the Lupo's build quality is also superb, based on the standards of the near indestructible Passat. The Lupo was introduced to fill a gap in the VW model range as the size and weight of VW Polos steadily increased. It also has an impressive reputation for solidity and safety.
- The Lupo car was available with a variety of engine sizes and trim levels, from budget to luxury. Models include E, S, Sport and GTi. Standard specification includes twin airbags, immobiliser, height adjustable steering wheel, power steering. The 6-speed Lupo GTI has been compared to the impact of the VW Golf Mk 1 hot hatch. Production of the Lupo ceased in 2005 and was replaced by the VW Fox.
- The world?s first production car achieving average consumption of less than three litres per 100 km, hence the 3L name for fuel efficiency. World records include the Lupo 3L TDI which circumnavigated mainland Britain in 2001 at an incredible average fuel consumption of 119.48 mpg. See below for detailed information on this terrific car.
The Seat Arosa is a near identical budget city car based on the Volkswagen Lupo. Spanish firm Seat, being a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The Arosa was built between 1997 and 2005 and was available as a three door/four seater hatchback.
5 J x 13 steel wheels with 175/65 R13 tyres
Front wiper with 2 speeds and interval delay
Electronic engine immobiliser
Driver's seat height adjustment
Driver's and front passenger's vanity mirrors with cover
Driver's and front passenger's airbag
Cup holder and coin tray, front
Black door mirrors
Blue instrument lighting
Black side rubbing strips, door handles and roof strips
Carpet in luggage area
Body-coloured bumpers
Cigarette lighter
Centre console
Green tinted glass
Front and rear head restraints
Full size steel spare wheel
Full galvanised body
Full size wheel trims
Halogen clear headlights
Heating and ventilation with 4 speed fan
Height-adjustable front three-point seat belts with tensioners
Height adjustable steering wheel
Ashtray in centre console, illuminated
Interior lighting
High level 3rd brake light
Internally adjustable door mirrors
Isofix preparation (for 2 rear child seats)
Load lip protective shield
Lockable fuel filler flap
Low fuel warning light
Net front door side pockets
Power assisted steering
Radio/cassette "Beta" with RDS, 4 front speakers and roof aerial
Rear three-point seat belt x2
Rev counter
Rear wiper with interval delay
Service interval display
Split folding rear seat (centre split)
Storage area for first aid kit and warning triangle
Third sun visor
Upholstery - Strik cloth
Three-spoke steering wheel
Warning "lights on" buzzer
White front indicators and darkened rear lenses
Successive versions of this special-edition Lupo gained the world record for fuel efficiency.
It was the world?s first production car to achieve average consumption of less than three litres per 100 km, which accounts for the ?3L? in the model?s name.
In 2001 a Volkswagen Lupo 3L TDI was involved in a new world record when it circumnavigated mainland Britain at an incredible average fuel consumption of 119.48 mpg, or 2.36 litres per 100 kilometres, figures ratified by Guinness World Records.
The impressive record was achieved in July 2001 by an international team of drivers assembled by Japanese medical doctor and economy driving expert, Dr Shigeru Miyano. Staying as close as possible to the coastline of Britain, the grueling 3,738 mile route was far from the economy ideal of straight, level and uncrowded roads. By recording such low fuel consumption while driving in ?real? conditions, the team emphasised the Lupo?s technological might.
This achievement marked an improvement of 16 per cent over the previous record for the most frugal circumnavigation of Britain which stood at 103.01 mpg.
1.2 litre 3-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharger and direct injection (61 hp, 140 nM) Use of light-weight aluminum and magnesium alloys for doors, hood, rear-hatch, seat frames, engine block, wheels, suspension system etc. to achieve a weight of only 830 kg Electro-hydraulic automatically operated 5 shift gearbox and clutch Engine start/stop automatic to avoid long idling periods Low rolling resistance tires
The system uses Volkswagen?s PD (?Pumpe D?se? or unit injector) TDI technology using an individual pump and injector for each cylinder, developing more injection pressure. The Lupo 3L TDI uses a 1.2-litre TDI PD diesel engine, combined with extensive use of lightweight components and automatic operation of its clutch and five speed gearbox.
This advanced unit injector technology was used throughout Volkswagen?s UK range, from the Lupo 1.4 TDI ? which has a combined economy figure of 64.2 mpg ? right up to the Touareg?s exceptional 5.0 litre V10 TDI, the world?s most powerful passenger car diesel engine to date.
In 2000, a ?Round the World in 80 days? journey in a Lupo also produced 118 mpg, while a Lupo TDI also won outright the RAC/Fleet World MPG Marathon for three years in succession.
In 2003 the VW Lupo 3L TDI once again proved itself the most fuel efficient production car. Gerhard Plattner, an Austrian journalist and economy driving expert covered a distance of 2,910 miles through 20 European countries in a standard Lupo 3L TDI using just 100 euros worth of fuel managing an average consumption of 2.78 litres per 100 km or 101.6 mpg. The average speed of the Lupo 3LTDI was 50 mph.
Volkswagen?s most economical production car was also placed top four times in a row during its production, in an environmental car ranking by the German institute ??ko-Trend?. This was due not only to its economy, but also through the environmental benefits demonstrated during the Lupo?s production.
