The most powerful front-wheel drive hot hatch in the Volkswagen range has received a more aggressive appearance and a more modern interior, but has not changed in any way in terms of technology: the 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine produces the same 300 hp.
The Clubsport version appeared in the range of the current “eighth” Golf in 2020. At the beginning of this year, the main Golf family and the junior hot hatch Golf GTI underwent a planned restyling, with the Golf GTI becoming more powerful, and now the top-of-the-line front-wheel drive version of the Golf GTI Clubsport has been updated — its premiere was timed to coincide with the race weekend at the Nürburgring, where it starts tomorrow annual daily marathon.
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The Golf GTI Clubsport still has a unique Special driving mode, designed specifically for the Nürburgring, but this hot hatch did not set a record time on the Nordschleife either before or after the restyling. Meanwhile, in 2016, the “seventh” Golf received a limited version of the GTI Clubsport S with 310 hp. — she set a lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the class of front-wheel drive production cars, which was then surpassed by the Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane R.S. Trophy-R.
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There is currently no class of front-wheel drive cars in the official table of Nürburgring records, but there is a class of Compact cars, the leader of which is the rear-wheel drive BMW M2 coupe (lap time — 7 minutes 38.706 s), and if you isolate the front-wheel drive group from this class, then the best in it last year again became the Honda Civic Type R (its time was 7 minutes 44.881 seconds). The updated VW Golf GTI Clubsport could have tried to outshine the “Japanese”, but this did not happen and is unlikely to happen: back in 2021, the German sport auto magazine experimentally found out that the current Golf GTI Clubsport turned out to be too weak for the Nurburgring and even a special driving program was not allows him to show some decent time on this legendary track.
As part of the update, the current Golf GTI Clubsport has not received any design changes (there are only new electronic settings): it is still equipped with a 2.0-liter EA888 evo4 petrol turbo engine, the maximum output of which is 300 hp. and 400 Nm. An uncontested 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission transmits all power to the front wheels via an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. The hot hatch accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h, with the optional Race package reaching 267 km/h. You also have to pay extra for other “tasty” options, namely DCC adaptive shock absorbers, an Akrapovic exhaust system and new lightweight 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels.
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External updates for the Clubsport version are generally the same as those for its less powerful brothers. The original aerodynamic body kit of the Clubsport version has been preserved, while the front bumper has become more aggressive in appearance thanks to new side squiggles. A larger 12.9-inch multimedia screen with ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence integrated into it has appeared in the cabin, finishing materials have been updated, there are no more touch buttons on the steering wheel — only ordinary, physical ones. The touch-sensitive climate control sliders, alas, have been preserved, but they are now at least backlit. Decorative carbon fiber inserts and leather seat upholstery are available for an additional fee.
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5/5 >Price of the updated VW The Golf GTI Clubsport has not yet been announced and will only go on sale in October. For reference, let's say that the updated 265-horsepower Golf GTI costs in Germany from 44,505 euros — therefore, for the Golf GTI Clubsport they will ask for around fifty dollars.