Volkswagen used the backdrop of the past weekend’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race to debut a brand new generation of its Golf GTI Clubsport limited edition.
The hardcore hatchback relies on the updated 2025 Golf GTI expected to achieve showrooms within the U.S. later this 12 months, and packs that automotive’s 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine but with output dialed to 296 hp, which is the best of any GTI. The present GTI packs 241 hp and within the updated 2025 model the horsepower rating is 262 hp for Europe. U.S. specifications for the updated GTI might be announced closer to the market launch.
Like in all GTIs, drive within the GTI Clubsport is to the front wheels only, via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and an electronically controlled differential lock. Quoted performance numbers include a 0-62 mph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph as standard or 166 mph with an available Race package. VW didn’t say what else is included within the Race package.
One other available feature to enhance performance of the Golf GTI Clubsport is VW’s DCC drive mode selector. Unique to the Clubsport is a drive mode developed for carving up the Nürburgring. It controls things equivalent to the suspension and steering and has been tuned specifically for handling the undulations and curves of the German racetrack, the automaker said.
The Clubsport also differs from the usual GTI by means of a brand new front fascia with a simplified design. The VW logo on the front can also be illuminated for the primary time, and a few tweaks to the internals of the lights at each ends are also present. VW also introduced a brand new 19-inch wheel design with the Clubsport, whose design was inspired by the Golf GTI’s iconic Detroit-style wheels. For extra performance, VW may also offer a forged 19-inch wheel weighing just 17 kilos. The upgrade will reduce unsprung mass, which boosts handling.
The last Golf GTI Clubsport was launched for 2021 to rejoice the forty fifth anniversary of the primary GTI’s arrival in 1976. Similarly, the newest version celebrates this 12 months’s fiftieth anniversary of the Golf nameplate.
Don’t expect the Clubsport version to achieve the U.S. because the last one was never sold here. Nevertheless, for local buyers wanting more performance than what the updated Golf GTI delivers, VW has an updated Golf R debuting in the summertime. Just like the updated GTI, it should reach the U.S. for 2025.
VW also had a specially prepared GTI Clubsport 24h race automotive competing within the Nürburgring 24 Hours race. The automotive’s engine was dialed as much as 343 hp, helped by a brand new E20 fuel being developed by Shell with 20% ethanol content, which the race automotive, fielded by Max Kruse Racing, helped test throughout the weekend’s race. The automotive finished first in school within the race which was paused for 14 hours and eventually called off early on account of heavy fog.
This Article First Appeared At www.motorauthority.com
