I'm yet to watch this week's episode of Top Gear (I have it saved in the planner), which I'm sure I'll enjoy.
However, I'd like those, who've complained about the UP! lacking in power, to answer the following question.
What would you expect from a 1.0 60/75bhp engine?
The Up! along with its variants, the Citigo and MII, has been marketed as a city car with fuel economy impressive enough to rival that of diesel engined vehicles.
I'm sure others will agree when I say that I'm glad to see a return of the days when you could spend £40.00 at the pumps and receive approximately 400 miles in return.
Moreover, I think that you'll also be hard pressed to find another vehicle manufacturer that offers a city car with the level of build quality, comfort and equipment levels for less than £10,000.
Returning to the point about the supposed lack of power.
I've never experienced a problem accelerating from 50 (in 5th gear) to 70 as I begin my ascent up the Bowes Incline (A1 in Tyne & Wear).
Finally, in the current economic climate, if it's blistering performance you seek, go and waste your money paying a premium for an over-priced hot hatch, in addition to crying at the pumps when you have to refuel it every week.
This misery you'll endure is further compounded by the fact that your chosen insurer is charging an absolute fortune to insure you and then there's the small issue of road tax.
There's an awful lot to consider when deciding to plump for a hot hatch, especially since speed and power comes at a price.
city carcity carEdited by: Miserable Git