The FWD VW Golf GTI Clubsport Costs Almost The Same As The Golf R
When news of VW’s Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 dropped last year, we rather liked what we saw. Naturally, the assumption was that the car - built to celebrate the Golf GTI’s 40th anniversary - would sit somewhere between the regular GTI with Performance Pack and the full-fat Golf R in terms of pricing, and sit between the two it does. But only just, as it’s damn near as expensive as the R.
Order books opened this week with the Clubsport pegged at £30,875, just £245 less than a three-door manual R despite having two less driven wheels and 36bhp less from the same EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. The gap narrows a bit when you take into account the overboost feature - which gives the Edition 40 286bhp for 10 second bursts - but that price is still a lot to stomach.
That said, the Clubsport will be much more exclusive. While there isn’t a specific limit to the number being built, production is “time limited” and VW anticipates that no more than 1000 will make their way over to the UK.
It’s also a lot more interesting than previous anniversary Golfs. As well as the extra power and the standard fitting of VW’s VAQ locking differential, the Clubsport gets overhauled suspension with revised springs, retuned dampers and altered bump stops. On the outside there’s an aero package consisting of a multi-part rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, new side skirts and a completely redesigned front bumper, all coming together to increase downforce.
The inside is treated to a set of Alcantara sports seats - with tartan detailing, of course - although the fabulous looking bucket seats you see about are an optional extra.
£30,875 buys you a manual three-door car, while if you want an extra pair of doors and a DSG twin-clutch gearbox, that rises to £32,945. The first deliveries of UK cars are expected to take place this summer.
Comments
To bad it isnt a post about the Dacia Sandero.
Dude I think it’s enough
It should be built on a limited run of 1000 cars. Bucket seats should be listed as standard.
Where i live its an 8000 CHF difference
Mark my words No one would buy this
Okay so the entire marketing department at VW is wrong. Edition GTIs have always outstripped demand. This will be no different.
Way too much, when comparing to the R. I’d pay a great deal more for an R over this.
Well this fella fits right into the wallet
But who’s gonna drive a vw nowadays?
I’m gonna buy a Volkswagen in 3 years.
I’m sure these top spec Golfs are fantastic motors but I’d really struggle to part with the best part of £35k for one.
Damn, Fast hatchbacks are way too expensive these days IMO
They’re not exactly affordable preformance anymore if you ask me. They’ve become dream rides
Fiesta ST, 208 GTI, Ibiza Cupra…they aren’t so expensive.
Correction: Hot Hatchbacks from the Germans are alarmingly expensive. Every other country has no problem making cheap hatchbacks.
You’d be idiotic to buy this over the R
I don’t think so. It’s a special edition and it will be pretty rare, which someone might appreciate. In addition, some people say that Golf R is not much more fun to drive (especially in corners etc.) than Golf GTI Performance. Clubsport will be a brilliant hot hatch for sure, I would consider it.