Volkswagen unveiled the most hardcore front-wheel-drive Mark 8.5 Golf, the GTI Clubsport, at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race.
With its ‘EA888’ 2.0-litre turbo-petrol tuned up to 221kW and 400Nm, the Clubsport is the most powerful front-drive Golf available and a rival for the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30 N.
Though the GTI Clubsport has become a mainstay in Europe and the UK after the nameplate’s arrival in 2016, Australia has never received the most potent FWD Golf. The 221kW Cupra VZx on sale here does have similar mechanicals, though.
A Volkswagen spokesperson told CarsGuide that the Clubsport is not confirmed for Australia, however the local arm is “always interested in special editions” like this.
Like the rest of the updated Golf Mark 8.5 line-up, the GTI Clubsport benefits from new ‘IQ Light’ LED headlights, illuminated VW logo, fresh tail-lights and an updated cabin with ChatGPT-integrated voice control.
Setting the Clubsport apart from a cooking GTI are a unique front bumper with angular intakes, fat roof-mounted rear wing, side skirts, exclusive 19-inch ‘Queenstown’ five hole alloy wheels that pay homage to the Mk 5’s ‘Detroit’ alloys, side graphics and a black roof.
Inside, the bucket seats are covered in Suede-cloth with leather bolster, while full leather is optional. A different three-spoke leather-appointed steering wheel features in the Clubsport, too.
The Clubsport cuts eight tenths from the GTI’s 0-100km/h sprint
Underneath the body work, VW offers revamped ‘DCC’ adaptive dampers as an option on the GTI Clubsport. They come with a special ‘Nurburgring’ damping profile – just like the Golf R and previous GTI Clubsport – tuned for the hallowed racetrack.
The springs and dampers are said to be more compliant, too, while the control module offers up to 15 different damper settings and various modes for steering, engine and electronically controlled front limited-split differential.
Volkswagen has not announced what tyres will be fitted to the Clubsport but they appear to be Bridgestone Potenzas which are more track biassed than the regular GTI’s Turanza rubber.
All the changes mean the Clubsport cuts eight tenths from the GTI’s 0-100km/h sprint, claimed at 5.6 seconds.
A different three-spoke leather-appointed steering wheel features in the Clubsport, too.
An optional Race package is offered in Europe and the UK. It raises the Clubsport’s top speed from 250km/h to 267km/h and adds an Akrapovic performance exhaust system.
Volkswagen offers optional forged ‘Warmenau’ 19-inch alloy wheels which weigh just 8kg per corner.
The Mark 8.5 Golf is set to launch in late 2024 or early 2025, likely ushering in a new plug-in hybrid GTE offering for the brand. The current Mk8 GTI is in run-out special with an $8000 discount.