VW has unveiled the new up! GTI concept, which pays tribute to the original Golf GTI, which debuted over 40 years ago in 1976. The near-production up! GTI concept features everything that we loved about the original.

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The up! GTI concept will arrive in early 2018

To create the up! GTI, VW started with the regular up! but then added a turbocharged 1.0L TSI engine with 115 horsepower and 170 lb-ft. of torque. 115 horsepower may not sound that great, since that’s barely more than a Toyota Yaris, but the up! GTI doesn’t need that much power – it only weighs 2,198 pounds. The up! GTI will need 8.8 seconds to reach 62 mph (0.2 seconds faster than the original Golf GTI) and has a top speed of 122 mph.

Related: 2018 Volkswagen Golf gets refreshed

Compared to the regular up! models, the up! GTI gets the usual GTI insignia, like the red stripe across the grille and the “clark” seat pattern on the interior. There are also double stripes across the sill panels, 17-inch alloy wheels, a large roof spoiler and the car has been lowered by 15 mm.

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The up! GTI will go on sale in Europe in early 2018 and will look pretty identical to the concept. If you want to see the concept in person, the up! GTI will be at the GTI Meet at Lake Wörthersee next week.

Source: VW