VW Celebrates Golf GTI's 50th Anniversary With The Performance Clubsport

The GTI Clubsport is a powerhouse, boasting a significant upgrade over the standard GTI. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 296bhp, making it one of the most powerful front-wheel-drive cars available. This model outperforms competitors like the Ford Focus ST and nearly matches the formidable Honda Civic Type R.

The Clubsport is set to hit the UK market later this year with a price tag of around £42,000. It was showcased at the Nürburgring 24 Hour race in Germany, a venue that played a crucial role in refining its bespoke powertrain and chassis setup.

The tuned EA888 engine not only boosts power by 34bhp but also increases torque from 273 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft. This enhancement allows the Clubsport to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds, just 0.2 seconds slower than its Honda rival. The top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, but the optional Race package increases this to 166mph.

The Clubsport ditches the manual gearbox, opting for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Despite this, it remains driver-focused, with a chassis reworked for greater agility and poise. The suspension system has been updated with MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link rear setup, providing a more compliant ride across different driving modes. Adaptive dampers are available with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) package, which offers 15 customizable settings for drivetrain, steering, and damping.

Volkswagen enlisted Sven Bohnhorst, a senior test driver from Bugatti, to fine-tune the Clubsport’s progressive steering. The car also features a new software package that enhances response and linearity. The Clubsport sits lower than the standard GTI and has increased front camber, a tweaked rear axle, and a more aggressive electronic differential on the front axle.

The exterior of the Clubsport is marked by a uniquely styled front bumper and a bold rear spoiler, adorned with new black elements. It also features an illuminated Volkswagen badge, reshaped headlights with red graphics, and optional IQ Light LED matrix technology. Red GTI badges, black Clubsport graphics, and a contrasting black roof complete the look. At the rear, the car sports 3D-effect taillights, a reworked diffuser with black detailing, and twin exhaust pipes, which can be upgraded to an Akrapovic sports exhaust with the Race package.

Volkswagen offers a range of wheel options for the Clubsport, including the standard 18-inch Richmond design and the optional 19-inch Queenstown and Warmenau wheels, the latter made from lightweight forged aluminum.

Inside, the Clubsport features premium sports seats in ArtVelour microfibre, with an optional leather upgrade. The cabin can be personalized with optional carbon fiber trim details. The latest Golf’s revised dashboard is also included, featuring a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display running on the latest version of VW’s MIB operating system. This system, first introduced in the electric ID.7 saloon, offers improved menu structures, faster processing speeds, and higher-resolution graphics.

The Clubsport also introduces Volkswagen’s new IDA voice assistant, powered by ChatGPT, enabling more conversational control over functions like infotainment, sat-nav, and air conditioning. The interior update replaces the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel with more conventional switches and buttons, and the climate control slider now lights up for easier nighttime use.

Volkswagen’s new GTI Clubsport is a fitting tribute to the Golf GTI’s 50-year legacy, combining enhanced performance, cutting-edge technology, and distinctive design.

The new Volkswagen GTI Clubsport ft. Benny Leuchter | Volkswagen