Celebrating the Golf’s golden jubilee, Volkswagen has revealed the new GTI Clubsport, the most focused model to wear this illustrious moniker.
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The latest Golf GTI is only the second generation of Volkswagen’s front-wheel-drive hot hatch to don the much-vaunted “Clubsport” badge. The first, which was based on the Mk7 GTI and produced 195 kW, was introduced in 2016 to commemorate four decades of the “GTI” nameplate.
Mk7 Golf GTI Clubsport Fast Facts
- Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 6-speed manual | 6-speed dual-clutch
- Power: 195 kW* @ 5 350-6 600 r/min
- Torque: 350 N.m* @ 1 700-5 300 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 6.0 seconds | 5.9 seconds
- Top speed: 250 km/h | 249 km/h
*213 kW/380 N.m with boost function activated
Since then, the (228 kW/380 N.m) Mk7 GTI Clubsport set the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record (now held by the new Honda Civic Type R) for a front-wheel-drive car in 2016, and the firm released a pair of Mk8 GTI Clubsports; one of which celebrated the 45th anniversary of the German marque’s first hot hatch. Now, in celebration of the Golf’s golden jubilee, the Wolfsburg brand has revealed the third Mk8 GTI Clubsport.
2024 Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport Fast Facts
- Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
- Power: 221 kW @ 5 000 r/min
- Torque: 400 N.m @ 1 800-5 200 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
- Top speed: 250 km/h*
*267 km/h with optional Race package
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Like its predecessors and the current Mk8 GTI, this anniversary edition employs a tuned version of Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre EA888 four-cylinder turbopetrol engine. However, compared to the previous iteration that completed a lap of the Green Hell in 7 minutes 49.21 seconds, the latest model’s turbocharged unit develops 7 kW less.
2017 Mk7 Golf GTI Clubsport S Fast Facts
- Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Power: 228 kW @ 5 800-6 500 r/min
- Torque: 380 N.m @ 1 850-5 700 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 5.8 seconds
- Top speed: 265 km/h
However, its peak power output of 221 kW still overshadows that of its standard sibling by 41 kW, while its 400 N.m of torque not only surpasses the latter model’s by 30 N.m but matches the Golf R’s. According to VW, the new GTI Clubsport dispatches the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds, eight-tenths of a second quicker than the non-Clubsport-badged variant. The top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h. However, specifying the optional Race package lifts the limit to 267 km/h.
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Setting this variant apart from its Mk8 Clubsport stablemates, the new derivative’s front facia is adorned with an illuminated VW logo, a large rear spoiler has been fitted to the roof to ensure it remains firmly grounded to the road when travelling at autobahn speeds and cornering, and a set of 19-inch Queenstown alloys, which have been designed to echo the styling of the Detroit items found on the Mk5 GTI.
2021 Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport 45 Fast Facts
- Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
- Power: 221 kW @ 5 000 r/min
- Torque: 400 N.m @ 1 800-5 200 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
- Top speed: 267 km/h
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