The Up! has always been one of my favourite city cars. It’s very well put together and great fun to drive, although each time I’ve driven one, I’m constantly wishing for just a little more oomph.

It appears that VW have heard my constant bleating and done exactly what I asked for, which is precisely why we have the Up! GTI. (You can thank me later).

Many might claim that the Up! GTI is the spiritual successor to the original Golf GTI and it is easy to see why. At first glance they appear to be borne of the same fundamental principle: You take a lightweight hatchback and stick a reasonably powerful engine under the bonnet.

However, it isn’t quite that simple. For a start, while the Up! weighs in a respectable 1,070kg, compared to the 810kg Golf it’s actually a little voluptuous and, of course, the ‘reasonably powerful engine’ that drives the Up! is a 999cc three-cylinder turbo rather than the 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit under the original’s bonnet.

The differences don’t stop there, either, because the Golf was rear-wheel-drive while the Up! sends its 115PS to the fronts.

So, rather than continue with a pointless comparison to a car that enjoyed its heyday way back in the late 70s, let’s see if the Up! can do enough to be worthy of that GTI badge.

First of all, does it look the part?

I would have to answer in the affirmative. There’s an abundance of styling nods to the GTI family, some more obvious than others. A red horizontal stripe runs between the front headlamps, underscoring the GTI badge that sits just above it, and the matt black radiator grille has a honeycomb design typical of current GTI models.

Down the sides two parallel stripes that, in homage to its heritage, are based on the dimensions of the graphics on the original Golf GTI while another badge sits just forward of the door, high on the front wing.

At the back the black bootlid follows the colour scheme of the first Golf GTI. There’s another horizontal red stripe running between the rear lights and, of course, another GTI badge.

The Up! GTI also benefits from other unique style points such as the gloss black bumper and splitter, 17in alloys wheels that show off the red brake callipers (front only, I’m afraid), a larger roof spoiler that, according to VW, isn’t just for show, a matt black diffuser and a nice, fat chrome-plated tailpipe.

The sports suspension has been lowered by 15mm so, as well as giving the GTI a more dynamic stance, should also help to improve the handling.

Climb inside and the first thing you’ll notice is the classic tartan fabric. There are unique GTI door sill trims, gear knob and multifunction steering wheel that features red stitching and the GTI logo.

The fascia is a bright gloss red and there’s a sliver of red ambient lighting running across the dash to add a little more pizzazz. Considering how basic the cabin is, the aesthetic changes that VW have made to the GTI help to it feel more premium and give a much greater sporting bias. It is also, as is the VW way, been put together impeccably.

Equipment includes the Composition Colour radio system, which brings with it Bluetooth, a USB socket and with six speakers. If you download a free app to your mobile you can operate it via the screen and there’s a handy cradle on top of the dash for your device although you’ll be frustrated if it falls into the phablet category because, well, it won’t actually fit. You also get air con, heated front seats, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and front fog lights with static cornering lights. It’s available in four colours – white, red, silver and black – while all but the latter are available with a contrasting black roof.

There’s plenty of room for two tall people – I appreciate that’s not a niche restricted to adults – in the front and, thanks to it’s squared-off styling, passengers in the rear are reasonably well accommodated too.

Storage space is as equally hospitable, with wide, deep door pockets and a single cup holder at the base of the centre console. Don’t expect to squeeze much into the tiny glovebox, however.

The boot is a decent size and shape as well. The car’s boxy styling provides a deep load area but, with that, comes a sizeable lip that might be a struggle to life heavier items over.

Beneath the bonnet is the firm’s 999cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol that has seen service in the latest Golf and Polo. It produces 115PS and 147Nm of torque from 2,000rpm. Top speed is 122mph and it takes 8.8 seconds to reach 62mph.

Those raw figures don’t do the little engine any justice, though, because it’s a peppy performer. You don’t need to wring its neck to extract decent performance from it, and there’s enough low-down flexibility that you can pull away from a junction in second gear with very little fuss.

It’s got a decent spread of torque so, despite its diminutive size, you won’t have to keep flicking through the gears during overtaking or tackling a steeper-than-average incline. Power delivery is smooth but purposeful and, when you are pushing on, you’re treated to a pleasantly enthusiastic, albeit digitally enhanced, playful engine note.

The six-speed gearbox is slick, with well-judged ratios, the clutch has a nice, positive action while the brakes are feelsome and progressive. Refinement is impressive, particularly for such a small car. Wind and road noise are very well suppressed and, even at speed, the passenger space is quiet enough that you don’t have to raise your voice to have a conversation.

The Up! has always handled well, which is one of the reasons I was clamouring for more power, so it comes as no surprise that the GTI, riding as it does on its lowered sports suspension, proves an even more compelling steer.

There’s a delightful balance between power and grip, so the front wheels, which have to do the majority of the work remember, never feel overworked nor overwhelmed. The little hatchback puts its power down effectively and responds to changes of direction swiftly and without drama. Turn into a bend and the front end will hang on tenaciously.

The steering has a nice weight to it but it lacks feel and, compared to the very best hot hatches of any dimension, the Up! GTI is missing that final layer of polish but, what it does demonstrate, is that you don’t need huge reserves of power under your right foot to have fun, because, driven accordingly, fun is precisely what you’ll have in this car.

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The stiffer suspension and larger wheels do compromise the ride a tad. It’s a little less compliant, particularly over sharper-edged imperfections around town while speed bumps easily unsettle it. However, it’s a small sacrifice to make in the context of what you get in return.

And what do you get for your almost £15,000? A fun, practical hatchback with engaging handling, a fabulous engine and decent handling, that’s what. The cabin is stylish and well built and, while equipment levels fall a little shy of generous but everything you really need is present and accounted for. At this fighting weight, the Up! GTI is king.

VW Up! GTI technical specifications

Price: £14,315

As tested: £16,514

Engine: 999cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Max power: 115PS

Max torque: 200Nm @ 2,000rpm

Max speed: 122mph

0-62mph: 8.8 seconds

WLTP low: 40.9mpg

WLTP medium: 54.2mpg

WLTP high: 58.2mpg

WLTP extra high: 47.3mpg

Combined: 50.5mpg

Emissions (CO2): 110g/km

For more information visit www.vw.co.uk