Volkswagen has confirmed every single Golf GTI Clubsport S model allocated to the UK has been sold.
Only 400 examples of the Golf GTI Clubsport S will be built, of which 150 will be coming to our shores – and it seems the enduring popularity of the hot hatch is still very much alive in the UK.
The Clubsport S is described by VW as the 'ultimate expression' of the legendary Golf GTI. The front-wheel-drive car’s 2.0-litre TSI engine packs 310 PS, enabling a 7 minute: 49.21s record lap time around the Nürburgring and a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds. Torque stands at 380 Nm between 1,850 and 5,700 rpm, with maximum power available between 5,800 and 6,500 rpm, while top speed where the law permits is 164 mph. CO2 emissions for the Clubsport S are 172 g/km and its economy on the combined cycle is 38.1 mpg.
The Golf GTI Clubsport S weighs 1,285 kg, resulting in a strong power-to-weight ratio of 4.15 kg/PS. This has been made possible via features such as an aluminium subframe on the front axle and aluminium brake covers. 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 weight-saving programme.
To transfer the performance to the road and track are four 235/35 ZR Michelin tyres, which are fitted to 19-inch ’Pretoria’ alloy wheels. The handling of the car can be adjusted by the driver thanks to Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) for 'optimum response' to all driving conditions. Comfort, Normal and Race modes are available, as well as a special ‘Nürburgring’ option that further modifies the suspension, sound, engine and steering parameters.
The Golf GTI Clubsport S features race-derived heated bucket seats to 'connect driver and car', while a new exhaust system features fatter tailpipes of 65 mm instead of 55 mm, which VW says, reduces backpressure and increases performance - with a side effect of a raspy backfire when decelerating.
This limited edition Golf has an OTR price of £33,995, although as things stand it appears too late to start saving, with no word yet on any more models being produced.
The Clubsport S joins the Clubsport Edition 40 in the GTI line-up – also a special edition to celebrate the GTI’s 40th birthday. It features 265 PS – 45 PS more than the standard GTI – with an overboost function to take power up temporarily to 290 PS, and is priced from £30,935 OTR. Both Clubsport versions of the Golf GTI share DNA with the Golf GTI TCR racing car that was launched at the start of the year.