This is the ultimate Volkswagen GTI, the brand new 2021 VW Golf GTI Clubsport.
Volkswagen has taken the brand new Golf GTI and given it a makeover, with some faster brains and a few stickers. What we get is the new, improved and absolutely incredible Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Clubsport!
But, before you get too excited, as much as this is an improved Volkswagen GTI, it's not to be confused with the Golf 7 GTI Clubsport S. See, Volkswagen has been quite sneaky with the Golf 8 GTI, they have dropped the 'S' from the name Clubsport.
Perhaps there are plans for a Golf 8 GTI Clubsport S in the future, but this specific one is not a limited edition. It is not lighter than the standard Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI, but it is more powerful. The 2021 Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Clubsport features a significant bump in power over the standard Golf 8 GTI, up from 242 to 296bhp, while torque goes from 273 to 295 lb-ft. It will get you from 0-60mph in the sub-6-second mark thanks to its all-new and cleverly redesigned 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) gearbox that features significantly shorter gear ratios.
On the outside, the new Volkswagen Golf 8 Clubsport separates itself from the rest of the Golf 8 lineup with its sportier and more aggressive looking styling. The front bumper features a taste of the traditional and somewhat nostalgic honeycomb grill design which has been wedged into the more sleek and modern ergonomics of the Golf 8's front end in between the redesigned LED headlights. And not to mention the red trimming that runs straight through the upper front grille to show off its GTI pedigree, and the Golf 8 Clubsport is without a doubt the champagne of GTI's!
When you stop to look back on your Golf 8 GTI Clubsport after parking and take a few snaps with your phone, one thing that will stand out from the regular Golf 8 GTI parked next to you are the wider black side skirts that finish off the sporty look and to top it off, those black stickers below the doors are subtle, but still show that you mean business! The rear bumper has surely not been forgotten either! The rear black diffuser matches the line of the side skirts and rounds off the racy look nicely without making it look cheap. The exhaust tips also receive exclusive treatment and differ from the standard rounded look of the regular Golf 8 GTI. Furthermore, the rear boot spoiler sports a far more rounded look and resembles more of what the Polo R WRC got fitted with straight out of the factory, and will be coming out in a sleek and modern gloss black finish.
Much like the standard Golf 8 GTI, the Clubsport will also be made available with 18" wheels by Richmond, and a 225/40 R18 tyre size as standard, with an upgraded 19" wheel as an optional extra which can be ordered with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres if a buyer wishes to do so!
The Golf 8 GTI Clubsport has also had its brain and clever mechanical parts significantly improved with a clever upgrade to its mechatronics unit amongst others as well. The driving setup software now features a drive profile that adapts the running gear best suit getting in the best lap time possible at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Speaking of which, the all-new 2021 VW Golf 8 Clubsport set a record for the 46-year-old GTI legendary name around the Nürburgring Nordschleife at a full 13 seconds quicker than the standard Golf 8 GTI.
Inside of this supercar specced hot hatch you'll feel quite at home if you're a Volkswagen owner with nothing than the best VW comforts, with a racing and sportier feel. Volkswagen has given the new Golf 8 GTI Clubsport a unique stitching pattern on the racing-inspired bucket seats, the centre armrest too has received attention and feels and looks like it has been redesigned to perfection as well as the floormats which make you feel as if you have to dust off your shoes every time you step inside the car. The steering wheel, arguably the most important part of the interior for the driver, has also received a fresh new look and feel. It is now finished in a lovely balance between standard and perforated leather which serves both fantastic grip when driving, and still maintains a level of sophistication, class and utmost german auto quality! And don't forget about that shiny GTI badge that waits patiently to greet you every time you climb in.
Although the new 2021 VW Golf 8 GTI Clubsport is perhaps not considered as impactful as the previous generation Clubsport S was in its day, we sure do still take our hats off to the new Golf 8 GTI Clubsport as we get the impression that the engineers and designers had a far larger blank canvas to jot down ideas and get creative and innovative with. The Golf 8 GTI Clubsport is not necessarily just a regular Golf 8 GTI with a few tricks up its sleeve, it is one of those cars that will forever go down in GTI history as ones of the greats that never fails to put a smile on its drivers face.