autoevolution
 

2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Revealed as the Most Exciting GTI Ever

The SEAT Leon Cupra has the same underpinnings as the VW Golf, but for some people the letters G, T and I cannot be replaced. It's for them that Volkswagen's motorsport specialists have created the Golf GTI Clubsport.
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 20 photos
Photo: Volkswagen
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport
The model is built to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the hot hatch icon, and we think it is one of the most desirable Volkswagen models ever made. There are no modest power increases here, as the 2-liter turbo has been boosted from 230 PS to 265 PS. For short periods of time, the famous EA888 can even deliver 290 PS.

You don't even need to press an overboost button, just mash the accelerator and expect 10 seconds of craziness. Not surprisingly, the Clubsport is a lot faster in a straight line than a regular GTI. 0 to 100 km/h sprints take only 5.9 seconds when the DSG takes care of swapping gears or 6 seconds with the manual.

If you like the GTI, you'll love the Clubsport. The striking aerodynamics package has been honed over the course of many months at the grueling Nurburgring track. It consists of a new front bumper, side sills, a rear diffuser and a large wing situated at the top of the rear hatch. Volkswagen has also designed a set of 19-inch alloy wheels that you can cover in your favorite sticky rubber.

Other goodies include gloss black trim for the mirror caps, large twin exhaust pipes and tinted taillights, just like on the Golf R.

But besides the extra power, the best feature of all are the new racing bucket seats with integrated headrests. They, together with some of the interior, are trimmed in Alcantara and stitched with bright red thread. Even the steering wheel and the gaiter for the gear shifter are covered in Alcantara, something that will impress every GTI fan.

Somehow, this car is supposed to resemble the original 1976 Golf GTI, but from where we're standing it looks like a Gran Turismo 5 futuristic dream.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories