Next year sees the 40th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. To mark this occasion Volkswagen is producing a special edition Golf GTI Clubsport, which will be the most powerful production GTI model yet.
Exterior
Paying homage to the 1976 Golf GTI, the car in the photos is finished on Oryx White paint with contrasting black roof, black gloss wing mirrors and a wide black stripe running along its side between the wheelarches sporting the name 'Clubsport'. The stripe continues around to the front of the car and over the restyled air intakes and newly designed bumper.
New side sills, a rear diffuser and 18-inch alloys set this Anniversary Edition apart from other GTI models, and buyers can upgrade to optional 'Brescia' 19-inch wheels.
At the back there is a new, and much larger, multi-part roof spoiler, finished in gloss black on the underside and Oryx White above the roof line, along with larger twin tailpipes, which are chrome-plated and integrated into the diffuser. Dark black-red LED lights complete the special edition look.
Interior
Inside, the Clubsport gets folding bucket racing seats part covered in Alcantara featuring a honeycomb pattern on the back and cushioned areas. The honeycomb design extends to trim strips on the instrument panel, centre console and doors. The trim on the shift lever is Alcantara, as is the rim of the sport steering wheel, which carries the GTI emblem. Red stitching also features throughout the cabin, found on the seat belts, steering wheel, floor mats, doors, gear lever and golf-ball inspired gear knob. Stainless steel kick plates with red GTI lettering at both the driver and passenger doors are yet another unique feature.
Mechanicals
A retuning of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine means the Clubsport produces more power; up from the 220hp of the standard Golf GTI to 265hp. An overboost function, activated by fully pressing the acceleration pedal, gives a 10-second burst of power, increasing output to 290hp.
The 0-100km/h dash from standing takes 6.0 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox or 5.9 seconds with the optional six-speed DSG automatic transmission. Whichever gearbox is fitted top speed is set at 250km/h, the same as the Golf GTI Performance Pack.
Anything else?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is set for its debut at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show where, hopefully, we will learn more about production numbers, but Clubsport will be here in the New Year and it should cost in the region of €40,000.