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Golf GTI Clubsport S
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  Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S      

  Article Image gallery (21) Specifications  
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Country of origin:Germany
Introduced in:2016
Numbers built:400
Source:Company press release
Last updated:May 05, 2016
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Click here to download printer friendly versionThe Golf GTI Clubsport S flies over the start/finish line of the "Green Hell" like an arrow. With German racing driver Benny Leuchter (28) at the wheel, the most powerful Golf GTI ever has just smashed the existing lap record for front-wheel-drive production cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Future contenders will have to beat Leuchter's time in the GTI: 07:49:21. This exclusive new sports car, based on the Golf GTI Clubsport, has been developed to celebrate the GTI's 40th anniversary. Even that model blurs the boundaries between production and racing cars, with its 195 kW/265 PS (which can temporarily peak at 213 kW/290 PS using the boost function) as well as aerodynamics that have been completely redesigned in many areas resulting in improved downforces. With the Golf GTI Clubsport S celebrating its world premiere at the GTI event at Lake Worthersee (4-7 May), Volkswagen is topping off the legendary model line with a new crown. The hard performance data of the new Golf GTI flagship are permanently available power of 228 kW/310 PS; acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds; a top speed of 265 km/h (not limited) and an EU unladen weight (incl. the driver and luggage) that has been reduced to 1,360 kg. However, it is the record lap time around the Nordschleife that really demonstrates how exceptionally fast this car actually is.

As a world exclusive, the Golf GTI Clubsport S comes with a setting for the most demanding race track in the world, which can be accessed using the driving profile selector. This is possible because the car is fitted as standard with the individually configurable Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and a driving profile selector. In the 'Individual' driving profile, the engineers have developed a setting that is fine-tuned to suit the unique conditions of the Nürburgring. Over and above that, the driving profiles Comfort, Normal and Race are also available. Of course the driver can still adjust the settings in the Individual profile, as usual and can revert to the Nürburgring setting at any time before driving onto on the Nordschleife by resetting the Individual profile on the touchscreen menu. This unique configuration switches the Sound, Engine and Steering (fitted with progressive steering as standard) parameters in the Race profile as well as DCC to Comfort. However, in this instance an entirely different group of settings is hidden behind this option, instead of the normal Race and Comfort settings.

The production run of 400 cars is the total worldwide figure, 100 of which will be delivered to customers in Germany. The colours of the limited edition stick to those of the original GTI: "Tornado Red", "Pure White" and "Deep Black Pearl Effect", and the roof of the red or white GTI Clubsport S is also painted black. No matter where in the world this car makes an appearance, it will always be a two-door manual transmission to keep its weight down. In comparison to the two-door Golf GTI Clubsport with a manual gearbox, the net weight of the "S" was reduced significantly, to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 4.15 kg/PS. The Golf GTI Clubsport S, which produces 380 Nm at between 1,700 and 5,300 rpm is a two-seater. Doing away with the rear seats, including the central armrest, for example, accounts for the most noticeable weight saving. A smaller battery, as well as doing without details such as the insulating material, the variable luggage compartment floor, the rear parcel shelf, the floor mats and the bonnet damping pushed the weight down yet further. An aluminium subframe on the front axle and aluminium brake covers resulted in further weight savings. The 235/35 ZR Michelin tyres mounted on 19-inch "Pretoria" alloy wheels, which are so important for performance, the equally essential DCC, as well as a strut brace, a partition net behind the seats and a carpet in the rear, on the other hand, added weight, leaving a total weight reduction of approx. 30 kg, in comparison to a similarly equipped Golf GTI Clubsport, and thus a low DIN unladen weight of just 1,285 kg (EU unladen weight, incl. driver and luggage: 1,360 kg). At 310 PS this thus results in a dynamic power-to-weight ratio of 4.15 kg/PS. Less weight also means greater efficiency: 7.4 l/100 km (equating to 172 g/km CO2).

The development team exploited synergies between motorsport and production vehicles in enhancing the engine performance, as they could draw on their experience with the 243 kW/330 PS/410 Nm Golf GTI TCR - the new racing car for the TCR International Series. This also gave them the opportunity to boost the engine to a permanent 310 PS and 380 Nm and at the same time include the race set-up of the Golf GTI TCR from the Saloon Car Championship. In detail, the engineers achieved this boost in performance by adaptation of the engine control unit and the use of a new exhaust system, with a diameter ahead of the exhaust tailpipes of 65 instead of 55 mm, thus reducing the exhaust backpressure and increasing the performance. A side effect of the modifications was that the exhaust system produces a wonderful and deliberate 'backfire' when braking! This is particularly true for the Race driving profile (along with extra features such as higher engine speed etc.), in which the Golf GTI Clubsport S is tuned to have maximum performance and extremely agile throttle response, just like the Nürburgring setting. In the course of the modifications the engineers also integrated a new fuel pump with increased throughput. The engine of the front-wheel drive Golf GTI Clubsport S is technically based on the 1,984 cc TSI engine that also powers the other versions of the Golf GTI and the Golf R. This is a third generation EA888 engine, and it boasts technical refinements such as a water-cooled exhaust channel to the turbocharger that is integrated in the cylinder head and variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment.

The other specifications of the most exclusive Golf GTI include the following exterior details: semi-slicks (Michelin Sport Cup 2) mounted on 19-inch "Pretoria" alloy wheels, tinted rear windows (65 per cent light-absorbing), "Clubsport S" type plates, the black painted roof (also for the red and white model) as well as Xenon headlights with cornering lights and LED daytime running lights. The 17-inch brake system was also modified and is particularly stable on racing circuits, to withstand the high temperatures of the brake components. The brake bells are made of aluminium; the friction ring made of cast steel is connected to these aluminium brake covers by cast locating pins and are thus able to expand radially when they heat up. Further advantages of the new brake discs include well controlled dosage of braking force as well as stability. An important factor for the car's dynamic handling is that the unsprung mass of each wheel is a whole kilogram lower thanks to the aluminium brake covers. To further improve the hot braking performance, the Golf GTI Clubsport S also leaves the factory with special brake pads on the front and rear axles.

Each of the 400 Golf GTI Clubsport S cars made will have its production number (001/400 to 400/400) on the centre console in the front. The driver and the front seat passenger sit in racing bucket seats that provide the necessary lateral support while flying over the Nordschleife. Also on board are the GTI insignia featured in the "normal" Golf GTI Clubsport, including the iconic golf ball gear knob with Alcantara trim, a red line in the safety belts, "Honeycomb 40" design decals (dashboard and doors) as well as elegant accents in Piano Black. Ergonomically designed for optimal performance on the racetrack, the extremely grippy Alcantara-trimmed sport steering wheel (with a chrome GTI emblem, red stitching and 12-o'clock mark) as well as stainless steel door sill plates with red GTI lettering.

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  Article Image gallery (21) Specifications