The Volkswagen Lupo was never sold here new, but some examples have been imported here privately in the latter years. You can take your Lupo pick from usual 1.4 petrol engines, or go for different TDI versions, the three-pot, 78mpg 3L TDI being the more interesting of those. But this GTI version is probably the most Hoon-worthy model of them all, with a 125-horsepower 1.6-litre petrol engine.
This 2002 car was seen in the next town over, and I snapped a couple shots as a memento.


I love the round-eyed front treatment on the Lupo, and the GTI version is really butch. There’s a more pronounced front airdam and blocky wheels, and you can see the black sport leather interior in this shot as well.

But the best thing on the GTI is the central exhaust, a knowing cue to tie it in with other hot hatches like the Clio 172/182 RenaultSport or even the classic Mini Cooper.
[Images: Copyright 2015 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]