With a time of 07:49:21, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S is officially the fastest front-wheel drive production car in the world. What a way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the GTI hot hatch and at the same time say "thank you" to all those loyal fans!
To put the lap time into perspective, the Leon Cupra 280 set a record of 7:58:12 in May 2015. Both cars use the same platform and roughly the same 2-liter turbocharged engine, so Volkswagen must have done some insane track tuning.
As it has already been said, the Clubsport S features a 310 PS version of the 2.0 TSI, the same one you get in the Audi TTS all-wheel drive models. Volkswagen says this engine has been fitted with a new fuel pump, a sportier exhaust system, and an optimized ECU.
Despite having more power, the super-GTI is still slower than the Golf R in a straight line, taking 5.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h. However, it's been de-restricted to 162 mph.
Just like the GTI race car seen in some of the photos below, the Clubsport S is stripped out. Weighing in at 2,998 pounds, the S has lost some sound insulation, the rear seats, and center armrest. It has been fitted with an aluminum brace for the front suspension and a lighter battery.
We don't know the price yet, but some of the details regarding the buying experience have just been made clear. Only 400 examples will ever be made, each with a numbered plate. Only the 3-door hatchback will be sold, while the colors have been limited to just three: Deep Black Pearl Effect, Pure White, and Tornado Red.
Probably the most important go-fast upgrade besides the engine tuning are the 19-inch Pretoria-style alloy wheels with semi-slick Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires. Inside, drivers can expect super-thin racing seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, and “Honeycomb 40” trim. The drive mode selector also features a setting called “Green Hell.” You probably know what that's for, don't you!?
Editor's note: We get the exclusivity, the lap times and the heritage. But we'd just get a regular GTI as an everyday car and a Porsche Cayman for the track.
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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