After it murdered the front-wheel drive record of the Nordschleife, the Golf GTI Clubsport S has returned to the crime scene.
The reason behind Volkswagen’s rigorous testing even after the hot hatch managed to lap the Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 49,21 seconds is unknown, but we don’t mind taking another look at the fast-cornering machine in its natural element.
Key to its incredible track capabilities are the re-tuned 2.0-liter four-banger turbo that pumps out 310 PS (306 HP) and 380 Nm (280 pound-feet) of torque, sent to the front axle through a six-speed manual transmission, chosen by the Germans for being 20 kg (44 lbs) lighter over the DSG gearbox, claiming that the shifting time of the double-clutch would have been eclipsed by the extra weight. Total weight has been reduced by 30 kg (66 lbs) over the GTI Clubsport and it tips the scales at 1,280 kg (2,821 lbs), resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 4.15 kg/PS.
The previous front-wheel drive ‘Ring King was the Honda Civic Type R that managed a 7:50,63 lap, but VW’s latest hot hatch turned out to be even faster than the 425 HP BMW M4 and 707 HP Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.