New VW Golf GTI Clubsport to be most powerful FWD Golf

When the Volkswagen Golf GTI appeared in September 1975 (on sale in 1976), it introduced a new class of cars – the hot hatchback.

The first GTI had a 4-speed manual gearbox and a fuel-injected, 4-cylinder engine that was capable of 0 – 100 km/h in 10 seconds with a top speed of around 180 km/h. It may not see like anything special today but in 1975, it certainly was a sensation.

Since then, this variant of the Golf – 50 years old this year – has become hotter and hotter with each generation, as well as more technologically advanced. Just how far the hot hatch has evolved will be seen in the new Golf GTI Clubsport which will make its debut at the endurance race as the most powerful Golf with front-wheel drive ever sold.

The enhanced Golf GTI Clubsport is characterised by a completely redesigned front, which has become even more powerful and more distinct. Besides revamped LED Plus, the Volkswagen logo at the front is illuminated for the first time. A large roof spoiler at the rear ensures maximum downforce. The LED tail light clusters have also had a makeover.

The 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels are also new. With their striking design of 5 oval semi-circles, they evoke the classic Detroit wheel, which was introduced for the 5^th generation of the Golf GTI. As a further option, the Golf GTI Clubsport can be configured with the new 19-inch Warmenau forged wheel. With a weight of only 8 kgs per wheel rim, the forged wheels reduce the unsprung masses and thus optimise performance.

The performance and torque of the turbocharged engine are transferred to the road via an electronically-controlled front differential lock. The DCC adaptive chassis control is available as optional equipment.

Another highlight of the Golf GTI Clubsport is the exclusive Special driving profile. This matches systems relevant for driving dynamics to the special track characteristics of the Nurburgring Nordschleife. It takes into consideration the undulations typical of the Nordschleife, adjusting to compensate for maximum performance by means of a specific vertical setup of the DCC adaptive chassis control and a modified lateral dynamics setup of the standard Vehicle Dynamics Manager.

Inside the Golf GTI Clubsport is a newly developed multifunction leather sports steering wheel and a new Infotainment system. This is extremely intuitive and allows the driver to concentrate more on the road than having to look too long at the screen or search for controls.

In addition, there’s the new voice assistant IDA with Chat GPT integration.

The debut of the Golf GTI Clubsport will be accompanied by a one-off unit with a 348 ps engine which will be taking part in the 24-hour race. This car, known as the Golf Clubsport 24h, will have the racing number 50 – a reference to the half-century of the Golf success story which has seen over 37 million of the model sold worldwide.

The fuel tank will carry up to 100 litres of E20 alternative fuel developed by Shell. This bioethanol fuel is extremely knock-resistant fuel and enables significantly more efficient operation of the powerful engine, thanks to software adaptation.

The fuel has significantly reduced CO₂ emissions in the well-to-wheel balance by 35% to 40%, as it contains a further 40% share of renewable components from residual and waste materials in addition to the 20% bioethanol content.

Locally-assembled Volkswagen Golf R now on sale, from RM332,990