Volkswagen may not have invented the hot hatch segment with the Golf GTI in 1976, but it certainly defined it, and in the process, ushered in a new age of compact and sporty family-friendly cars that injected some fun into the school run. We've had many of the best GTI models over the years, but one of the very best (and smallest) never made it to US shores.Thanks to the 25-year import rule, we can now legally bring them into the US and enjoy what is one of Volkswagen's best GTI models ever. It wasn't the quickest, most powerful, nor the most spacious, but this little pint-sized performer captured the spirit of the original Golf GTI like nothing before or since. Read on to see why this little GTI hot hatch should be on any true car enthusiast's short list, especially if you live in a crowded city. The Volkswagen Lupo GTI VolkswagenLaunched in 1998, the VW Lupo was a new microcar that slotted in below the already diminutive Polo. It was an all-new product and set new benchmarks in its segment for efficiency, space utilization, and performance. There were some revolutionary models, too, like the Lupo turbodiesel, which made just 60 hp, but was capable of a game-changing 78.4 MPG average. The Lupo FSI was Germany's first direct injection vehicle, and then, of course, there was the Lupo GTI.Volkswagen The Lupo GTI was a completely different prospect from the rest of the range. It offered hot hatch performance in a tiny, city-friendly package and was fitted with a 125-hp 1.6-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine that could launch it to 60mph in just 8.0 seconds. 125 hp might sound like a rounding error compared to today's 1,000-hp+ supercars, but the Lupo GTI weighed just 2,200 lbs, giving it a great power-to-weight ratio. Compared to the rest of the Lupo range, the GTI received disc brakes all-round, twin exhaust pipes, an uprated and lowered suspension system, plus aluminum front wings, hood, and doors.Volkswagen It was quicker than anything else in its class, and most cars one size up, too. In fact, its performance was comparable to the original 1976 Golf GTI, which we got here between 1983 and 1984. That model made 110 hp from its 1.6-liter engine (1.8-liter for the US), and its overall dimensions were pretty similar to the newer Lupo, showing just how much the rest of the VW range had swelled over the years. What Are They Worth Today? Volkswagen The Lupo was in production from 1998 to 2005, although the Lupo GTI only arrived in 2000. That makes the earliest versions 25 years old as of last year, so they are eligible to be imported into the US under the 25-year import rule. While close to 500,000 Lupos were built globally, Lupo GTI figures were approximately 6,370, making them the rarest variant by a long margin.Volkswagen Average values are hard to pin down, as few GTIs are for sale. Looking at listings across sites in Europe, the prices range from $6,000 to $16,000, with lower mileage models in particular commanding a premium. These were cheap cars for a while, overlooked by most, and so many were run on shoestring budgets, and poorly modified. Examples like these are the cheapest, and can be found for the equivalent of $6,000 or less, but significant investment will be required before they once again resemble showroom-fresh models. Should it be a low-mileage and low-owner example you're hunting for, expect to spend between $13,000 and $16,000, as collector interest for these microscopic hot hatches has been steadily rising over the years.For that reason, it is always a good idea to buy the best example you can afford, especially if it is an import, as finding parts for it can be tricky. The Lupo shares several components with the contemporary Polo and Golf models, but unique trim and engine components may be harder to track down in the US. GTI-specific body and interior parts are particularly scarce, so finding a complete car is of the utmost importance.VolkswagenImport costs are also a moving target, with roll-on/roll-off shipping costs averaging $2,000-$3,000. A 2.5% duty is applied to the value of the vehicle, and there will also be local charges once the car reaches the US. Budget on a rough estimate of $5,000 to get your Lupo GTI over to the US. That might sound like a lot, but in return, you get a unique ride that is sure to hold its value, and one that will have you offering to pick up the kids from school just to have another go in it. It's a sure-fire way to draw the crowds at your next Cars & Coffee meet too, as the little GTI should stick out like a sore thumb among the sea of PTS Porsches and over-polished Corvettes. Lupo GTI Competitors Volkswagen America is a big place, and we like big cars, so the Golf was the smallest Volkswagen product we got here. Even the popular Polo, which remains a big seller overseas, never made it to the US. So, competitors in a local context for the Lupo are a bit hard to come by. Rewind to the early 2000s and 2010s, and there were really only two cars that competed based on size. Smart ForTwo 1998-2015 SmartThe Smart ForTwo was the first. Launched in 1998, the ForTwo was the perfect solution for city slickers allergic to using public transport. As its name suggested, the ForTwo was a two-seater, and had space in the trunk for a few sheets of A4 paper, so long as you didn't crumple them up into a ball. It was one of the tiniest globally available cars on sale, and the low running costs and cheap price made it popular the world over. The tiny turbocharged inline-three motor was not exactly a fireball, but the second-generation models could be had with a 100hp 1.0-liter Brabus engine, which made them a lot zippier. Expect to pay between $8,000 and $13,000 for one of these, and a lot less for the earlier standard models. Scion iQ 2012-2015 ScionAlso known as the Toyota iQ, the Scion iQ was, for a time, the second-smallest car you could buy in the US. According to Toyota, it was the smallest four-seater in production anywhere. It was cheap and cheerful, but not a sales success, and once again, the lack of a performance derivative makes it a poor alternative to the Lupo GTI. Finding a used example for sale could prove tricky, but if you do come across one, expect some change from $10,000. Mini Cooper R50 2001-2006 Mini The Mini Cooper is at least one category higher than the Lupo GTI, but it also offers a similarly engaging and fun driving experience, even in base 1.6-liter trim. Due to its larger dimensions and slightly heavier curb weight, the Mini is about a second slower to 60mph than the Lupo GTI, but it has always been available in the US, and solid used examples range between $5,000 and $8,000. For a bit more, you could also look at the supercharged 163-hp version, which is capable of getting from 0-60 mph in a little over 7.0 seconds. VW Golf GTI MK1 Rabbit (US Spec) 1983-1984 Volkswagen The original Volkswagen Golf Rabbit GTI took seven years to arrive in the US, and in the process, its engine was enlarged from 1.6 to 1.8 liters for extra torque, although peak power was slightly down. Weighing in at 2,100 lbs, the MK1 GTI was quick and great fun to drive. It represents an important part of automotive history, and average values over the past five years for these cars have been just under $20,000, with superb examples selling for over $30,000. Something To Look Forward To Volkswagen The above pretty much sums up your options right now for a spritely hatch to navigate city streets, but if you need something a little more technologically advanced to look forward to, then add the Volkswagen Up GTI to your calendar. It's very similar in character to both the OG Golf GTI and the Lupo, in the fact that it takes up no excess space, and boasts a punchy engine. In this case, a 115-horsepower, boosted 1.0-liter three-cylinder. It was first introduced back in 2018 though, so you'll have to be patient for quite some time before these become import-eligible. The Perfect Pint-Sized Hot Hatch Volkswagen The VW Lupo GTI is the antithesis of just about every modern car on the road today. It's compact, simple, and has a pleasing analog feel to its controls and driving experience. It's not particularly fast either, but it feels quick at ordinary speeds, which makes it far more fun than larger alternatives around town and in real-world driving, where traffic and speed limits are a limiting factor. If you are looking for a capable and enjoyable classic daily driver, the VW Lupo GTI is the perfect mix of old, new, small, and sporty.Sources: Volkswagen, Mini, BMW, Scion, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Classic.com, Hagerty, KBB, Autotrader UK, AutoScout Germany.