VOLKSWAGEN WILL REVEAL THE NEW GTI CLUBSPORT AT THE 24 HOURS OF NüRBURGRING - AND A TRIO OF VWS WILL BE COMPETING TOO.
The countdown for Germany’s largest motorsport event has started: the legendary ADAC 24-hour race will start at the Nürburgring on 1 June, and they’re expecting over 200,000 spectators. This time around there’s a little bit of a difference because the event will also be the stage for the most successful European car of all time: the iconic Volkswagen Golf. With this being the 50th year of the car’s uber-successful existence, the automaker is using every opportunity possible to celebrate the auspicious milestone anniversary - and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is one of the best ways possible. To add to the celebrations, the German automaker is using the event to also reveal the latest car under the Golf brand to the world - the sought-after, range-topping, track-focused Clubsport. Then, as if that wasn’t enough of a drawcard and a way to make legions of fans happy, one of these new Clubsport cars has been given the full track car treatment and will actually compete in the legendary race. The world premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport is set to take place in front of thousands of visitors and present it on the ‘Ring Boulevard’. This enhanced Golf GTI Clubsport is characterised by a completely redesigned front-end, which has become even more powerful and more distinct. The standard LED Plus headlights have been revamped and the Volkswagen logo at the front is illuminated - a first for the GTI. At the rear, a large roof spoiler ensures maximum downforce and new LED taillight clusters have also had a makeover. The 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels are also a new addition and they do look great with their interesting design of five oval semi-circles that evoke memories of the classic Detroit wheel as seen on a Mk5 GTI. The Golf GTI Clubsport can also be configured with the new 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels, a nice lightweight option. Inside the updated GTI is a newly developed multifunction leather sports steering wheel and a new Infotainment system that features a new voice assistant IDA with Chat GPT integration. The future is here.
The performance and torque of the GTI are transferred to the track via an electronically controlled front differential lock and had superior handling thanks to additions like the DCC adaptive chassis control and an exclusive and special driving profile. This profile matches systems relevant for driving dynamics to the special track characteristics of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h used by Max Kruse Racing in the 24-hour race demonstrates the potential of the new Golf GTI Clubsport because the production GTI served as the development basis for the race car. The prototype has been reactivated and further perfected by racing driver Benny Leuchter and his team at Max Kruse Racing specifically for Nürburgring. The GTI will start in the AT3 class (SP3T / class for vehicles with "alternative fuels"), as the 256 kW turbocharged 2.0-litre engine is powered by a new bioethanol fuel from technology partner Shell - E20. The knock-resistant fuel enables significantly more efficient operation of the near-production GTI engine thanks to software adaptation and ensures a significantly greater reduction in CO2 emissions than the familiar bioethanol fuels E5 and E10. The E20 fuel developed at the Shell Technology Centre in Hamburg reduces CO2 emissions in the well-to-wheel balance by 35 to 40 per cent, as it contains a further 40 per cent share of renewable components from residual and waste materials in addition to the 20 per cent bioethanol content. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h delivers first-class performance for a compact car - it tips the scales at 1,170 kg and features a healthy 450 Nm of torque to go with that 256 kW of power. Visually, the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h is equipped with a racing camera, wears special camouflage and features some amazing purpose-built aero. The second success factor for the race is driver Benny Leuchter who won a class victory in the 2same race in 2017 at the wheel of a GTI TCR. In 2019, he was also the first German to win a WTCR qualifying race, again in the TCR. The other driver is Johan Kristoffersson, six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion at the hands of a VW, and he also won a Nürburgring race there in a GTI TCR. The team is supported by the Nürburgring pros Nico Otto and Heiko Hammel. The starting number of the GTI racecar is No:50 – a birthday gift from the organiser for half a century of the Golf success story. In addition, as a tribute to the more than 37 million Golf vehicles built to date, three classic Golf GTIs will take part in the ADAC 24h Classic race. How damn cool does that Mk1 racecar look? Someone copy that look for Camp Fest!
Take a look at the YouTube video from, a year back that shows off just how cool this section of the racing is at this prestigious race meeting - you can spot some of the coolest classic VWs in play showing just why they have a worldwide appeal and fan base: ADAC 24-Classic | DE | ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring | Nürburgring
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VW Volkswagen ADAC 24-hour race GTi Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport Mk1 ClubSport SXdrv Nürburgring 24 Hours News