The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S is the ultimate expression of the legendary Golf GTI. The front-wheel drive car's 2.0-litre TSI engine packs 306bhp, enabling a blistering 7:49:21 record lap time around the gruelling Nurburgring Nordschleife back in May.
The Golf GTI Clubsport S is focused on outright performance. It weighs 1,285kg, resulting in a strong power-to-weight ratio of 4.15kg/bhp. A revised fuel pump is only one example of how comprehensively this car has been evolved but of greater significance is the weight reduction compared with the Golf GTI on which this car is based.
Features such as an aluminium subframe on the front axle and aluminium brake covers illustrate the Wolfsburg engineers' commitment to shedding the kilograms.
Continuing that theme, a smaller battery, along with the removal of components such as insulating material, the variable luggage compartment floor, the parcel shelf, floor mats and the bonnet damping have together pushed the weight tally down further. Finally, fitting the car with a manual transmission and removing the rear seats completes the comprehensive weight-saving programme.
That weight reduction contributes to the incredible performance of the Golf GTI Clubsport S. Standstill to 100km/h is reached in 5.8 seconds, and the top speed, where the law permits, is 264km/h. It packs a torque figure of 380Nm between 1,850rpm and 5,700rpm, with maximum power available between 5,800rpm and 6,500rpm.
