It's in the nature of automotive design that each succeeding generation of any model is bigger than the last, which is fine in terms of comfort, ride and features - but not in terms of agility and performance.
Thus the current VW Golf GTI is a lot bigger and heavier than the Giugiaro-penned original; even the new Polo GTI is bigger than a MkI Golf!
So now the cybergarage is buzzing with rumours that Wolfsburg has green-lighted the Up GT for production, reportedly with an 81k, three-cylinder, turbopetrol engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed gearbox.
We first saw the little GT as a show car at the launch of the production Up in Frankfurt in September, featuring bigger air intakes for both engine and brakes, 17” alloys, LED running lights and the whole kit - spoiler, diffuser and dual pipes - at the back.
The numbers may not measure up to the RenaultSport Twingo, which is rated at 98kW, but it will probably be a significantly lighter than the little Frenchie and could punch well above its weight.
Somehow, there is always something appealing about a little hatch that can - and this one could be lotsa fun.