These sorts of track battles where one car is clearly much faster than the other are sometimes irrelevant. Sure, the Evo X was a better race car than the WRX STI of its time, but it wasn't more fun or better to live with. Yet, the victory of the Civic Type R over the Golf GTI Clubsport is a decisive one because both are supposed to do the same thing.
The GTI must have forgotten how to GTI. When Volkswagen launched the Clubsport model to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the go-fast brand, we expected it to come with everything. I mean, it even looks like the 500 horsepower GTI Vision Gran Turismo concept car.
But in reality, Volkswagen has tied one hand behind the Clubsport's back, not allowing it to compete with the Golf R, like one of those nasty F1 pit bosses.
The Auto Express video is 7 minutes long, but it feels much shorter than that. From the moment these two contenders step onto the track, you get the feeling that even with 290 horsepower on overboost, the GTI Clubsport doesn't stand a chance. We would have liked to see a drag race between the two, just to see if the DSG gearbox makes a difference there, because it's the only thing lacking in the Civic.
Sure, refinement isn't on its side, but you can buy it with smaller wheels to lessen the damage to your spine. Plus we think that it looks unique and draws a lot of attention. People said the 1M Coupe and the old Focus RS were stupidly designed, yet they are modern classics. Good luck finding a guy who wants your old GTI Edition 35!
What we are trying to say is that three seconds separating the GTI Clubsport from the Type R is way too much. Volkswagen is the biggest carmaker in Europe. If they wanted to, they could probably turn the GTI into a 911 rival. Meanwhile, Honda is that little company struggling to stay afloat. No wonder they feel so proud of the R that they gave it a wing!
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
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