Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S not confirmed for SA

Having famously beaten the Honda Civic Type R’s Nürburgring lap record, Volkswagen will produce limited numbers (only 400 units) of the Golf GTI Clubsport S, but, whereas the Clubsport version of the GTI is due in SA soon, the S version's arrival hangs in the balance…

Volkswagen South Africa will be expanding its Golf GTI offering in the local market with the introduction of the Golf GTI Clubsport Edition in early July 2016. The Golf GTI Clubsport celebrates the 40th anniversary of the GTI and its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine produces 195 kW and 350 Nm of torque. More than that, additional power will be made available with an overboost function that will see the Clubsport's power figures creep up to 213 kW for ten seconds. The Golf GTI Clubsport is sure to keep GTI fans happy when it arrives…

Also see: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S is official [Video]

Will we see the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S in South Africa?

But, although many GTI fans are eagerly awaiting the launch of the Golf GTI Clubsport, hot hatch aficionados must be frothing with excitement at the chance of the uprated, record-breaking Golf GTI Clubsport S being offered locally as well. The Clubsport S is powered by a retuned version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine in the standard Clubsport, but offers 228 kW and 380 Nm of torque. As opposed to the standard Clubsport, the S version is a 3-door and doesn’t have rear seats, which shaves about 30 kg off its total weight (1 360 kg).

We spoke to a local Volkswagen spokesperson who confirmed that there were no plans (at present) to offer the Clubsport S in South Africa. However, this could change subject to units being availed to VWSA and the "resolution of homologation issues", should there be any. Let’s hope Volkswagen South Africa can make it happen.

The Clubsport S is currently the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap the Nürburgring with a time of 7 minutes 49.21, beating the previous record set by the Honda Civic Type R by 1.4 seconds. Autocar.co.uk recently took the Golf GTI Clubsport S for a drive around the Nürburgring and you can watch the video below to see how the car performs:

Would you like to see the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S in South Africa? We certainly would…