Photo: Volkswagen
Volkswagen UK has begun taking orders for one of the most hotly anticipated models of the year, the GTI Clubsport that arrives in Edition 40 guise to celebrate the four decades since the original hot hatch icon.
The fact that it's called GTI Clubsport Edition 40 suggests to us that the Clubsport model will become a permanent member of the Golf family, outlasting any special celebratory edition. But let's concentrate on what's being offered.
Starting at £30,875, the GTI CS is noticeably more expensive than its main rival, which is the locally made Honda Civic Type R at just 30k. You can also pick up a SEAT Leon Cupra 290 with the same hardware and a DSG gearbox at £30,030, but no modern Volkswagen has ever been accused of being cheap. That's not even the full extent of the damage, as a five-door model with DSG will set you back £32,945, making us wonder who's going to ignore the Golf R and get this.
The fastest GTI ever made is either impressive or average, depending on how you look at it. The 2-liter turbo engine typically produces 265 horsepower, but for short durations that number grows to 290 PS, the same as the Leon. Using its maximum overboost function, the model accelerates smoothly to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds. Frankly, the 310 horsepower Civic Type R should humiliate it in a straight line. We don't know why that is, because the European models are quoted at 5.9 seconds with DSG.
The exterior styling is like a slightly childish version of the GTI, with enlarging air intakes in fenders that are inspired by the Vision Gran Turismo concept. The standard 18-inch wheels can be replaced by 19-inch “Brescia “ alloy wheels with wider 235/35 tires. Another option: street-approved semi-slick 235/35 R 19 tires on eight-inch-wide “Pretoria” wheels.
As you may notice from the photo gallery below, the interior isn't all that special. However, there are two major highlights: the Alcantara D-shaped steering wheel with red stitching and the bucket seats with stripes on them.
Starting at £30,875, the GTI CS is noticeably more expensive than its main rival, which is the locally made Honda Civic Type R at just 30k. You can also pick up a SEAT Leon Cupra 290 with the same hardware and a DSG gearbox at £30,030, but no modern Volkswagen has ever been accused of being cheap. That's not even the full extent of the damage, as a five-door model with DSG will set you back £32,945, making us wonder who's going to ignore the Golf R and get this.
The fastest GTI ever made is either impressive or average, depending on how you look at it. The 2-liter turbo engine typically produces 265 horsepower, but for short durations that number grows to 290 PS, the same as the Leon. Using its maximum overboost function, the model accelerates smoothly to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds. Frankly, the 310 horsepower Civic Type R should humiliate it in a straight line. We don't know why that is, because the European models are quoted at 5.9 seconds with DSG.
The exterior styling is like a slightly childish version of the GTI, with enlarging air intakes in fenders that are inspired by the Vision Gran Turismo concept. The standard 18-inch wheels can be replaced by 19-inch “Brescia “ alloy wheels with wider 235/35 tires. Another option: street-approved semi-slick 235/35 R 19 tires on eight-inch-wide “Pretoria” wheels.
As you may notice from the photo gallery below, the interior isn't all that special. However, there are two major highlights: the Alcantara D-shaped steering wheel with red stitching and the bucket seats with stripes on them.
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