Production Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport officially unveiled

The GTI celebrates 40 years in 2016, and Volkswagen is celebrating by giving us a special edition version of its popular hot hatch.

You might be thinking what’s the point of creating a model to fill such a tight gap between the Performance Pack Golf GTI and Golf R. Volkswagen tells evo that the Clubsport is unique not just because of its exterior and interior styling, but also because it’s lighter than the four-wheel drive R. Therefore its ability on track may appeal more to particular enthusiasts. That isn’t all, however. An “overboost” function can boost that up to 286bhp for 10 second bursts of acceleration. All the driver has to do to activate it is to simply kick down the accelerator.

Sadly, VW has confirmed that the GTI Clubsport won’t be coming to the United States as the vehicle is being offered exclusively in the Golf’s three-door bodystyle. Top speed is reached at 155 miles per hour regardless of which transmission is selected.

The Clubsport boasts about 35 horsepower more than the previous most powerful Golf GTI variant.

The Golf GTI Clubsport is painted in “Oryx White” (other colors available), with the roof contrasting in black. These features immediately make the anniversary model stand out from the regular GTI models.

The production version of Wolfsburg’s Wörthersee concept, the Clubsport – which follows in the footsteps of several anniversary editions – is virtually identical to the show vehicle. The black trim stripe is continued at the front around the air scoop incorporated in the front bumper. A front splitter and jutting rear wing, both finished in gloss black, are said to improve downforce. The lower rear section of the vehicle has also been individualized. Red detailed seatbelts and black headlining also help differenciate it from the standard GTI. Its racing bucket seats are partly finished in classy Alcantara material and still feature the GTI’s iconic tartan pattern, while the classic golf ball gearknob is present, too. There’s also red-highlighted seat belts, new trim strips with “Honeycomb 40” design on the instrument panel, an Alcantara sports steering wheel with red stitching, and a 12 o’clock marking. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.