Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport – The Ultimate GTI (for now)

South Africa is the only world market where overall Golf sales are currently split about 50/50 between the workaday variants and high-performance GTIs. Most of those GTIs are bought purely for their status and image, rather than for their performance credentials, but this fact doesn't diminish the all-round excellence of the car itself. It's quick, well-made and practical, handles nicely, and works equally well as a sporting machine or as a daily driver.

But Volkswagen took a long, hard look at the current GTI and decided that they can do even better. So they gave it more power, tweaked its appearance, re-tuned the suspension, and then stuck some stickers down its flanks. The result is the GTI Clubsport: it's still the GTI as we know it, but with every aspect turned up a notch. And to ensure that it will become an instant classic (just like the Edition 35, which was its spiritual predecessor), they decided to limit the production numbers for their new über-GTI.

What's different?

There's a new double-decker spoiler on the tailgate, while a redesigned (albeit only cosmetic) diffuser down below frames two beefier exhaust tips. A new front bumper incorporates larger air intakes to feed the upgraded engine, while a gloss black splitter lurks underneath. The side view remains largely unchanged, save for gloss black mirror caps and black stickers on the lower door edges bearing Clubsport insignia. Whether you like these somewhat boy-racerish addenda or not, they certainly distinguish the Clubsport from its normal brothers. If you want the ultimate GTI, that's quite an important drawcard.

Did they change the inside as well?

There are some upgrades, but nothing as extreme as on the outside. The steering wheel is trimmed in a suede-like material (though it's still unclear whether this is actual suede or Alcantara), boasts red stitching and has a 12 o'clock marker. This red stitching continues on the leather-clad sports seats and on the floor mats. There's nothing particularly dramatic about these changes, and the steering wheel rim is still a little on the skinny side, but it all fits nicely with the current GTI ethos of being sporty without any ostentation.

But is it any quicker?

Very much so. 195 kW and 350 Nm is on tap from its Golf R-derived engine, channelled to the front wheels exclusively through a 6-speed twin clutch autobox. The Clubsport is a handy 26 kW up from the next-tier GTI Performance Pack, although torque remains capped at 350 Nm. Performance figures show a marked improvement in sprint times, with the 0-100 km/h dash now coming up in 5.9 seconds (half a second quicker than the GTI PP) and the top speed also geting a slight bump up to 249 km/h. Fans of the GTI's exhaust burp during gear changes will also revel in the Clubsport soundtrack, because it sounds every bit as menacing as the performance stats imply.

Those numbers only tell part of the story though, for the Clubsport really comes alive at higher speeds. It accelerates with apparently boundless energy above 120 km/h, thanks to its new overboost function (available from third gear onwards), which lifts peak outputs to 213 kW and 380 Nm for 10 seconds at a time.

Does it drive as well as it goes?

To make the most of all this new-found speed, the suspension has been recalibrated with firmer springs and dampers, while those styling add-ons not only look good, but also add downforce at speed. Dynamic Chassis Control, which adds adaptive dampers, is available as an option, unlike the GTI PP, which has DCC as standard. However, the Clubsport does feature the PP's electronically-controlled differential, which gives excellent traction and stability in fast cornering, and makes the Clubsport really easy to control at the limits of grip.

That does sound enticing...

The result of all these tweaks is a GTI with thrilling straight-line speed, superb handling, and definite exclusivity. Remember, the Clubsport is also meant to be Volkswagen's present to itself, to celebrate 40 years of GTI, meaning that it will only be available until the end of 2016. This limited availability means that Volkswagen can largely justify the price premium attached to the Clubsport badge. Starting at R540 200 (before options), the Clubsport falls bang in the middle between the GTI PP and the all-wheel-drive Golf R.

Going on the Edition 35's history, it will most likely eventually appreciate in value, and will probably mostly be snapped up by collectors. But for everyone else, there's some solace to be found in the normal GTI PP, which offers most of the same thrills (minus some power and styling bits), while leaving you with almost R40 000 in change – or even more, once you factor in the PP's standard DCC.

Special? Definitely. Worth the extra cash? For the right buyer, without a doubt. But if you miss out on one, you can have almost as much driving fun in a GTI PP. Not that GTI aficionados will give a single hoot about such considerations – this is the most exclusive GTI out there, and that will be enough for them.

But wait, there's even more...

Volkswagen has also announced that we'll receive the VERY limited-run GTI Clubsport S around the end of 2016. This hardcore, two-door, two-seat sports variant has an engine tweaked even further (to 228 kW and 380 Nm), no air-con or sound system, track-honed suspension and no automatic gearbox in sight. The Clubsport S is the wildest production GTI in history, and currently holds the Nürburgring lap record for FWD cars. We'll only receive 47 units however, so place your orders right away.

 

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