The ultimate Volkswagen Golf GTI is here. Meet the Golf GTI Clubsport S, the most powerful variant of the iconic hot hatch you can buy. It's also the fastest front-wheel drive production car around the Nurburgring.
Meet the perfect way to celebrate 40 years of Volkswagen Golf GTI. VW will make only 400 Clubsport S units, of which 100 are destined for owners in Germany and given how popular the GTI is in South Africa, we're probably going to see a few units make it to our shores. Volkswagen has ensured that only the original GTI colours will be available: Tornado Red, Pure White and Deep Black Pearl Effect.
Mechanically, it's not too dissimilar to the current GTI. The power from the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine has been ramped up to 228 kW and 380 Nm. The power gain can be attributed to a new fuel pump, a modified engine control unit and a new exhaust system.
The Clubsport S's power reaches the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Expect 100kph to come up in 5.8 seconds and it will go onto a top speed of 260 kph. The car has also been put on a diet and the rear seats have been removed, making the Clubsport a strict two-seat vehicle. The kerb weight comes in at a tidy 1 360kg, which will help handling and acceleration.
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Nurburgring Record
The previous hot hatch to dominate the Nurburgring front-wheel drive leaderboard was the Honda Civic Type R, a fearsome track-focused hatch that lapped the Green Hell in 7 min 50.63. The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S did it in 7 minutes, 49.21 making it the fastest. While the road-going customer cars will come with a strut brace, the Nurburgring car had a roll cage fitted for additional safety. A set of semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres were fitted which no doubt aided the Clubsport achieve its impressive time.
