Volkswagen Lupo 1998–2005 car dimensions: 3524 mm long, 1640 mm wide and 1457 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,015 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 130 litres.
The cabin features height-adjustable front sports seats with red stitching and coordinating red seat belts, a leather-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium pedals, black headlining and a Gamma radio-cassette player with eight speakers. Electric front windows and remote central locking are standard. Driver aids include ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, front airbags, side airbags and ESP as standard. Air conditioning is standard on the GTI while Climatronic is optional. No parking sensors, cameras or other electronic driver aids are listed.
Boot space measures 130 litres with the rear seats upright and expands to 830 litres when the 50:50 split rear seats are folded.
Payload is 305 kg. Official trailer load limits for the GTI are listed as TBA. Sports suspension is standard and the car is lowered by 20 mm.
The cabin offers front sports seats with height adjustment and easy-entry function as standard, plus a leather three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium pedals. Manual air conditioning is optional, as is a leather pack with heated front seats. Green tinted glass is standard. The layout is practical for a small hatch with split-folding rear seats and cup holders.
Combined fuel consumption 38.2 mpg
ABS with EBD standard
Driver and front passenger airbags standard
Euro NCAP 4 stars (2000)
3-year/60,000-mile warranty
Service interval display standard
The 1.6-litre petrol engine returns a combined fuel figure of 38.2 mpg, with urban at 26.9 mpg and extra-urban at 50.4 mpg. The tank holds enough for solid range in a light city car.
A service interval display is standard equipment. The car comes with a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty, 3-year paintwork cover and 12-year body protection.
Safety kit includes standard driver and front passenger airbags, ABS with electronic brake-pressure distribution, height-adjustable front seatbelts with tensioners, front and rear head restraints, Isofix preparation and a high-level brake light. Side airbags are optional. It scored 4 stars in the 2000 Euro NCAP test.
Keep the car by watching the service display and sticking to the warranty terms. The fully galvanised body and lightweight aluminium panels help with long-term durability if maintained.
Length 3524 mm, Width 1640 mm, Height 1457 mm, Wheelbase 2318 mm (Lupo 1998–2005)
Sources: manufacturer data, VW UK press technical specification PDF and 2005 UK brochure.