Volkswagen up! GTI returns

• • GTI model back after temporary withdrawal
• • New sporty-looking R-Line model joins line-up
• • Models in revised range available to order now with prices starting at £12,440

The Volkswagen up! GTI has been reintroduced as Volkswagen revamps the up! range for 2020 with several new trims. All versions are available to buy now; the up! range starts from £12,440, while the three-door GTI will cost you £15,895.

The entry-level model is now simply called ‘up!’, and comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, DAB radio and a smartphone cradle so you can connect your phone and use it as a touchscreen. A five-door model costs £400 extra, but the base model and the GTI are the only trims now offered as three-doors.

Best city cars to buy in 2020

White Edition and Black Edition models (from £13,125) are new additions to the range, bringing an inch-larger alloy wheel size and contrasting white or black paint on the roof, door mirror caps and dashboard inlays. Above that is the Beats model at £13,490, which offers a premium stereo system with underfloor subwoofer and coloured mirror caps.

Slotting in at the top of the regular up! range is the new R-Line edition, which brings athletic looks and lowered sports suspension. It gets a black roof and matching door mirrors, plus R-Line badging and 16-inch alloy wheels - although you can choose 17-inch versions from the options list.

R-Line models also come with plenty of equipment, including front fog lights, heated front seats and electrically adjustable heated door mirrors. You can expect to pay £14,280 for an R-Line and, like the Beats and White/Black Edition models, it’s only offered as a five-door.

After a short time off sale, the Volkswagen up! GTI hot hatch rejoins the line-up. It comes with VW’s tartan cloth upholstery, which follows the tradition set by the more powerful GTI models, plus 17-inch alloys and ambient lighting.

All versions use a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. It’s naturally aspirated in the main range and produces 59bhp, while the GTI gets a turbocharged version producing 113bhp. In such a small car, that power is good enough for a 0-62mph time of 8.8 seconds.

Despite being the fastest model in the range, the up! GTI is actually the most efficient - it returns 53.3mpg and emits 120g/km of CO2. That’s ever so slightly more than any other up!; models with 15-inch wheels manage 51.4mpg and 124g/km, while those on 16-inch wheels return 50.4mpg.

The up! line-up also includes the electric Volkswagen e-up!, which has recently been updated to offer 161 miles of range. That’s quite an improvement over the previous car, which was capable of just under 100 miles between charges. The new e-up! will be available to order soon.

The refreshed up! is also the first UK model to wear VW’s new logo.

Read our guides to the best city cars and best cheap cars for more information on VW’s city car.