Description
Phaéton Workshop, your specialist in characterful fun cars, sports cars and GTs, presents this Volkswagen Lupo GTI 1. 6 16V 125 ch, with just 107, 900 km on the clock.
With only around 200 units sold in France, the Lupo GTI is now one of the rarest small Volkswagen sports cars on our market.
Developed as a true miniature GTI, it is not merely fitted with a more powerful engine than a standard Lupo. Volkswagen had thoroughly reworked the model to turn it into a light, efficient and particularly endearing little sports car.
Under the bonnet sits the naturally aspirated 1. 6 16V four-cylinder engine producing 125 ch, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Weighing in at less than a tonne, the car still offers a thrilling driving experience today: a lively engine at high revs, a short-throw gearbox, a tiny footprint and very playful handling.
Our example also boasts a feature of particular interest to fans of the model: all the Lupo GTI’s distinctive aluminium bodywork components are still present and entirely original.
Naturally, it retains the GTI’s key distinguishing features: specific bumpers, widened wings, 15-inch Bathurst alloy wheels, twin central exhaust tailpipes, xenon headlights, sports seats, black headlining, red seatbelts, red stitching and aluminium pedals.
HISTORY & MAINTENANCE
One of the real highlights of this example is its comprehensive service history, detailing the car’s life since it was first registered in 2003. The file includes numerous invoices, servicing carried out by the Volkswagen network and successive MOTs. Notably, the vehicle was ordered new from the Volkswagen network in 2003. Lupo GTI File. pdf
Key documented services include:
* 2003: fitting of adjustable suspension and then Recaro Sport seats.
* 2005: tyre replacement.
* 2007 – 30, 600 km: servicing, including windscreen wipers, lights and various consumables.
* 2012 – 59, 687 km: annual service including oil change, oil filter and air filter.
* 2013 – 76, 236 km: replacement of the timing belt assembly, including the water pump, alternator and various belts.
* 2018 – approx. 97, 000/ 99, 000 km: several major documented services, including maintenance, brakes, shock absorbers, suspension components and various repairs. The Volkswagen service history also records the work carried out during this period.
* 2021 – 101, 469 km: servicing, including engine oil, oil filter and brake fluid.
* June 2024 – 103, 144 km: complete replacement of the timing belt kit, including the water pump, auxiliary belt, air-conditioning belt and coolant. This work was supplemented by repairs to the steering system and various rubber bushings.
* Regularly archived MOT reports, which also allow the car’s mileage history to be traced over the years. The file includes the 2023, 2025 and 2026 MOTs.
The timing belt has therefore covered only around 5, 000 km since it was replaced in 2024.
This is therefore a Lupo GTI that not only has low mileage but, above all, a particularly interesting mileage history for a model that is over 20 years old.
FEATURES
Air conditioning – Xenon headlights – Original Volkswagen Gamma car radio – Volkswagen 6-CD changer – Electric windows – Electric wing mirrors – ESP – ABS – GTI sports seats – Red seatbelts – Black headlining – Aluminium pedal set – 15-inch Bathurst alloy wheels.
A few subtle upgrades have been made to the car:
• Eibach short springs
• Scorpion Cat-Back exhaust system, but the original tailpipe is supplied with the vehicle
• Newer Volkswagen sports steering wheel
• Automatic headlight activation
These modifications remain true to the spirit of the car and, as the original exhaust system is supplied, the set-up can easily be reversed.
With its naturally aspirated engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, modest weight and compact dimensions, the Lupo GTI belongs to a generation of small sports cars that has now disappeared.
Its extremely limited production run in France, its distinctive construction making extensive use of aluminium, and its character as a true miniature GTI – combined here with a particularly meticulous maintenance history – make this a very interesting example for enthusiasts or collectors of small sports cars from the 2000s.
