VW has turned the Golf GTI Clubsport concept into a production model for the Frankfurt Motor Show. Built to mark the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, the Clubsport special edition model continues the tradition of GTI anniversary models released for the 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th birthdays.

The VW Golf GTI Clubsport is the most powerful production GTI ever, thanks to the 265PS (261hp) produced by the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But that’s not all. The car is equipped with a boost function that increases power by an additional 10 percent to 290PS (286hp) for about 10 seconds. All the driver has to do to activate it is to simply kick down the accelerator.

Thanks to the extra power, the Golf GTI Clubsport sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds with the DSG (6 seconds with the 6-speed manual) and reaches a top speed of 249 km/h with the DSG (250 km/h with the manual). Despite these figures, combined fuel economy is 6.7 l/100 km (42.1 mpg UK or 35.1 mpg US) with the dual-clutch transmission, with CO2 emissions of 155 g/km.

With the added oomph come styling tweaks as well including a new aerodynamic package consisting of a completely new front bumper, new side sills, a new rear diffuser, a new multi-part roof spoiler and exclusive 18- or 19-inch forged alloy wheels. The wide black trim stripe on the side between the front and rear wheel arches at bumper level is a tribute to the original 1976 Golf GTI.

Other unique styling details include the high-gloss black door mirror caps, redesigned and chrome-plated tailpipes with a much larger diameter than on regular Golf GTI models and smoked LED rear lights.

Inside, the VW Golf GTI Clubsport gets folding racing bucket seats partially covered with Alcantara and sporting a honeycomb pattern in the area of the backrests and seat cushions. Red topstitching, a gear knob in golf ball design, a black headliner and new trim strips in “Honeycomb 40” design give the interior an more exclusive appearance.

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