Volkswagen has announced Golf GTI Clubsport to mark the 40th birthday of the Golf GTI with the official unveiling of the car scheduled during the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Pegged as a progressive special edition – similar to the ones Volkswagen released earlier on four prior birthdays of the Golf GTI – the GTI Clubsport packs a turbocharged direct-injection engine that outputs 195 kW / 265 PS. Volkswagen says that this engine is more powerful than the last most powerful GTI.
The 40th birthday anniversary edition also packs a feature wherein for a short time – about 10 seconds each time – the driver can kick down the accelerator and increase engine power by an additional 10 per cent to over 290 PS using a boost function.
As far as its capabilities are concerned, the car lives up to the expectations build over the years. Golf GTI Clubsport accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6 seconds with a 6-speed manual gearbox. There is an option to go for a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and this will get you from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. Though the car has a top speed of 250 km/h, it is fuel efficient.
With a manual gearbox, consumption is 6.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 160 g/km CO2); if power is transferred to the front wheels by DSG, the figure comes in at 6.7 l/100 km (155 g/km CO2).
The exteriors are no different when it comes to leaving a lasting impression. Dawning “Oryx White” you have the option for going for a contrasting roof top – black in this case. The GTI Clubsport packs a new side sills, new rear diffuser, completely new front bumper, a new multi-part roof spoiler and exclusively forged alloy wheels for the anniversary model.
With ergonomic sports seats – one of the key features of the Golf GTI series of cars – the driver can get a feel of what it may be like when driving a racing car. The gear nob has been shaped into a ball design. Volkswagen has fitted folding racing bucket seats instead of sport seats and are partially covered with Alcantara and feature a honeycomb pattern in the area of the backrests and seat cushions; the backrest also incorporates, GTI lettering.
The car also features some sporty decorations including Alcantara trim on the gear lever, new lenses on the gear knob, the Alcantara sport steering wheel (with GTI emblem, red seam and 12 o’clock marking) and customised floor mats with red edging.
