The Golf GTI exploded onto the scene way back in the late seventies to provide sports car performance to the everyman. Ever since then, the Golf GTI has been met with stiff competition from all sides as others try to dethrone it as the greatest all-round hot hatches ever created. Batting challenges over the years, the Golf GTI has needed to up its game as the Peugeot 205 GTI, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrofoglio Verde, and Hyundai i30N all came hunting for it. With a need, and want, to stay at the top of its game, the Volkswagen Golf GTI evolved into what is considered to be its finest form, the awesome Clubsport S.
A partially stripped out, track-oriented bruiser, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S is no tarted-up wannabe racer, unlike the Toyota Yaris GR Sport GT7 Edition, as it not only hands out a beating to rival hatches but also dishes out punishments to hardcore sports cars as well as exotic supercars every time its rubber hits the asphalt. Only available for a very short period of time, the GTI Clubsport S is a very rare beast and has been hailed as one of the best handling Volkswagen products ever made. These are 10 reasons why we love the Golf GTI Clubsport S.
10 More Than A Souped Up GTI
The long-standing Golf GTI has been the subject of many a special edition makeover, but none has ever resulted in a car that is as extreme, or focused, as the hard-charging Clubsport S version, released in 2016 to rapturous applause.
Despite an obvious hike in its power output, the Clubsport S underwent a painstakingly precise process of fine-tuning. The suspension and chassis setup, along with a bit of a diet, made it better than a Golf GTI ever should be.
9 Not A Family Favorite
Needing to shed a few pounds, the GTI Clubsport S lost its rear passenger seats, thus losing a large proportion of practicality. The upside was that it gained an additional brace to make it even stiffer, allowing for superb structural rigidity.
With a cargo net in place to catch the week's shopping, the Clubsport S also gained a lighter pair of Recaro sports seats. No DSG automatic was ever offered, as it weighed too much when compared to the standard 6-speed manual transmission.
8 A Supercar Smasher
Happy to take the scalps of any assorted hot hatch challengers with ease, the GTI Clubsport S would prove to be something of a dark horse. Its incredible agility allowed for track times that would wipe the floor with higher-powered, more expensive machinery.
To put things into perspective, the Clubsport S will lap the Nürburgring as quickly as a Lamborghini Murcielago. That's a much cheaper German hot hatchback going toe-to-toe with an exotic Italian supercar, and not losing face.
7 Very Limited Numbers
With only 400 examples made, the GTI Clubsport S is a true unicorn. Sold out even before release, those dedicated VW fans knew that this was going to be one special Golf, something that it proved as soon as it left the factory.
Initially offered at a price of $40,000, the GTI Clubsport offered immense value for money. Decent examples are now valued at around half that, it's a Golf GTI after all, but how long before their prices start to climb again is anyone's guess.
6 All Power And Poise
The fantastic EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged GTI engine was tweaked to offer 306hp, the majority of its newfound power coming from a better flowing exhaust system. The speed limiter has also been removed, allowing for a 165mph top speed.
Now weighing 35 kg less than a standard Golf GTI, and with the extra grunt, the Clubsport S can hit 60 mph in as little as 5.6 seconds. Straight-line pace though isn't what it is all about, as in the corners the Golf just grips, and goes.
5 Ring Busting Mode
When racing or setting times at the 'Ring, most find out that, the vast majority of the time, they are cutting from raised curb to raised curb. Knowing that stability was key to fast cornering on the track edges, the VW boffins built a suspension setup to cope.
Selecting 'Comfort' mode in the Clubsport S will actually call up that exact set of 'Ring busting settings. The dampers will soak up the punishment whilst providing flat cornering, and allowing for all the power to find traction.
4 Not A Fully Stripped Racer
Even having dumped its rear seats, the interior of the Clubsport S still retains a lot of civilities. As standard, it comes fitted with Volkswagen's touchscreen sat-nav, CD stereo, and media interface inset in the center console.
Apart from the body-clamping race seats and Alcantara steering wheel, the front cabin looks identical to any other GTI. This means superb build quality and a comfortable place to spend time when not hunting down supercars.
3 Much More Than Its Numbers
There is a host of highly-tuned Golf GTIs out on the street that claims to have the same or more power than the Clubsport S. The EA888 is such a flexible unit getting big numbers is relatively easy, but getting a car to handle this well isn't.
The GTI Clubsport S is much more than its 300hp output, it's an example of how the ultimate balance of a lightened chassis and sorted suspension can elevate a car. The ability to take something great and turn it into something stellar.
2 The Sensible Track Day Car
Unlike a lot of track day special cars, the Golf GTi Clubsport S won't leave your body aching after use. Yes, it's been stripped out to a degree, but nothing like some of the bare metal tin cans also out there. This is a car that can still provide daily driver service.
Thinking of the Golf GTI Clubsport S as a quirky two-seater sports car or a rapid sports van hatchback hybrid, you could almost sell it into family life. Those Recaro seats are amazingly comfy, plus the creature comforts are all there. As is the awesome performance.
1 The Best GTI Ever
Digging into the Golf GTI history will reveal a whole horde of special edition cars. Whilst some were nothing more than a fancy body kit and a set of bigger wheels, others were truly fantastic performance road cars. The Clubsport S though is something else entirely.
The most driver-oriented version of the car to ever be created, the Clubsport S is a revelation. To get so much agility and performance from modest tuning is an incredible accomplishment. Hunt one down, drive one, and revel in the ability of the best GTI ever made.