With the hot hatch market continuing to grow, it was only a matter of time before Volkswagen launched a more powerful variant of the Mk8 Golf GTI and this is it; the 2021 VW Golf GTI Clubsport. Like the standard GTI, the GTI Clubsport features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
However, whereas the standard model is
capped at 242 hp and 370 Nm of torque, well down on rivals like the
Hyundai i30 N, the GTI Clubsport is rated at a more respectable 296 hp and 400 Nm. These gains have been achieved with an enlarged intercooler, a
new Continental turbocharger, and retuned ECU software. Paired to the engine is
a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that drives the front wheels. VW says
the hatch will hit 100 km/h in less than 6.0 seconds and a top speed
of 250 km/h. The dual-clutch has shorter gear ratios than it does in the
regular GTI.
Elsewhere, the VW Golf GTI Clubsport comes
complete with a VAQ electromechanical locking front differential that replaces
the electronic XDS system of the standard GTI. This new differential can be
adjusted depending on the driving modes. Other upgrades include increased
camber at the front, a new control arm mount at the rear, new wheel mounts,
bespoke damper bearings, and a new spring configuration. The Dynamic Chassis
Control (DCC) system has also been upgraded to include fifteen settings between
the Comfort and Sport driving modes. This includes a mode tuned for the
Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Complementing the added grunt are upgraded
brakes with twin-piston calipers. The ABS and stability control systems have
also been fine-tuned to increase slip thresholds to improve braking performance
and stability.
From a visual standpoint, the Golf GTI
Clubsport includes a distinctive front bumper with a new splitter, 19-inch
wheels, and a two-piece rear spoiler that helps to reduce lift. The hot hatch
also includes black graphics on the side skirts while interior changes are
limited to new upholstery on the seats. Pricing and availability details have
yet to be announced.
