HOW TO HIT NEARLY 300KM/H WITH A STOCK GTI 8 CLUBSPORT 45.
Limited edition Volkswagens are a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t stop fans of the brand from making a fuss over them. These limited edition models span the entire range of Volkswagens, but it’s the ones that sport not only the iconic GTI badge that are sought after, it’s especially so when said GTI sports the Clubsport nomenclature. The Clubsport version has all the same bells and whistles as a regular GTI, but a plethora of special details are added in, weight is taken out and things are tweaked and tuned to make the car that little bit more special, a little bit faster and a lot better when being chucked around on a racetrack. Some more exclusive models see that Clubsport name being followed up with the letter ‘S’ and that means even more precise handling. The latest incarnation of the Mk8 GTI Clubsport is pretty easy on the eyes and it quite rapid when the gas pedal is mashed.
Changes to the Clubsport model include a specially-designed front bumper that should be enough to indicate that you’re not looking at a regular GTi from the front, and at the rear, there’s now a stylish two-part roof spoiler. Of course in the world of VW these things can’t guarantee that you’re looking at a genuine Clubsport because the parts are interchangeable and so many ‘ordinary’ GTIs are often seen wearing these items. There’s more, like wider sills, a bespoke diffuser and some model-specific 18-inch wheels. On the engine front, the Clubsport features the same turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant that’s mated to a sublime 7-speed DSG transmission, and the whole package sees power rated at 221 kW with a healthy 400 Nm of torque.
This particular Clubsport can hit 100 km/h in as little as 5.7-seconds and hits an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). So how did this one manage to reach a whopping top speed of 296 km/h (184 mph) without any engine modifications or speed limiter removal? Simple - physics. By aiming the car down a hill and driving flat out, the physics of the road and gravity take over, and because maximum power isn’t needed the ECU gets a little confused with the feedback from various sensors. The air and fuel entering the engine ends up being less than required if the car was on a level road, and because of that, the ECU allows for the original threshold to be reached, and by the time that happens the car is able to hit a new, ridiculous top speed. Now we just need to see a Hennessey F5 race downhill and hit 300mph.
Take a look at the YouTube video showing when you have enough how physics can affect a car's performance when you have enough space as well as the mad temperament needed: Acceleration VW Golf 8 GTI Clubsport 45 : incredible top speed ! (downhill) | L'argus
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