The Golf GTI Clubsport S flies over the start/finish line of the “Green Hell” like an arrow. With German racing driver Benny Leuchter (28) at the wheel, the most powerful Golf GTI ever has just smashed the existing lap record for front-wheel-drive production cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Future contenders will have to beat Leuchter’s time in the GTI: 07:49:21. This exclusive new sports car, based on the Golf GTI Clubsport, has been developed to celebrate the GTI’s 40th anniversary. Even that model blurs the boundaries between production and racing cars, with its 195 kW/265 PS (which can temporarily peak at 213 kW/290 PS using the boost function) as well as aerodynamics that have been completely redesigned in many areas resulting in improved downforces. With the Golf GTI Clubsport S celebrating its world premiere at the GTI event at Lake Wörthersee (4-7 May), Volkswagen is topping off the legendary model line with a new crown. The hard performance data of the new Golf GTI flagship are permanently available power of 228 kW/310 PS; acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds; a top speed of 265 km/h (not limited) and an EU unladen weight (incl. the driver and luggage) that has been reduced to 1,360 kg. However, it is the record lap time around the Nordschleife that really demonstrates how exceptionally fast this car actually is.
The production run of 400 cars is the total worldwide figure, 100 of which will be delivered to customers in Germany. The colours of the limited edition stick to those of the original GTI: “Tornado Red”, “Pure White” and “Deep Black Pearl Effect”, and the roof of the red or white GTI Clubsport S is also painted black.
The other specifications of the most exclusive Golf GTI include the following exterior details: semi-slicks (Michelin Sport Cup 2) mounted on 19-inch “Pretoria” alloy wheels, tinted rear windows (65 per cent light-absorbing), “Clubsport S” type plates, the black painted roof (also for the red and white model) as well as Xenon headlights with cornering lights and LED daytime running lights. The 17-inch brake system was also modified and is particularly stable on racing circuits, to withstand the high temperatures of the brake components. The brake bells are made of aluminium; the friction ring made of cast steel is connected to these aluminium brake covers by cast locating pins and are thus able to expand radially when they heat up. Further advantages of the new brake discs include well controlled dosage of braking force as well as stability. An important factor for the car’s dynamic handling is that the unsprung mass of each wheel is a whole kilogram lower thanks to the aluminium brake covers. To further improve the hot braking performance, the Golf GTI Clubsport S also leaves the factory with special brake pads on the front and rear axles.
Each of the 400 Golf GTI Clubsport S cars made will have its production number (001/400 to 400/400) on the centre console in the front. The driver and the front seat passenger sit in racing bucket seats that provide the necessary lateral support while flying over the Nordschleife. Also on board are the GTI insignia featured in the “normal” Golf GTI Clubsport, including the iconic golf ball gear knob with Alcantara trim, a red line in the safety belts, “Honeycomb 40” design decals (dashboard and doors) as well as elegant accents in Piano Black. Ergonomically designed for optimal performance on the racetrack, the extremely grippy Alcantara-trimmed sport steering wheel (with a chrome GTI emblem, red stitching and 12-o’clock mark) as well as stainless steel door sill plates with red GTI lettering.
