2021 VW Golf GTI Clubsport Announced With 296 HP And A Trick New Diff

With the hot hatch market continuing to grow, it was only a matter of time before Volkswagen launched a more powerful variant of the Mk8 Golf GTI and this is it; the 2021 VW Golf GTI Clubsport.

Like the standard GTI, the GTI Clubsport features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, whereas the standard model is capped at 242 hp and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, well down on rivals like the Hyundai i30 N, the GTI Clubsport is rated at a more respectable 296 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). These gains have been achieved with an enlarged intercooler, a new Continental turbocharger, and retuned ECU software.

Paired to the engine is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that drives the front wheels. VW says the hatch will hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The dual-clutch has shorter gear ratios than it does in the regular GTI.

Elsewhere, the VW Golf GTI Clubsport comes complete with a VAQ electromechanical locking front differential that replaces the electronic XDS system of the standard GTI. This new differential can be adjusted depending on the driving modes. Other upgrades include increased camber at the front, a new control arm mount at the rear, new wheel mounts, bespoke damper bearings, and a new spring configuration. The Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system has also been upgraded to include fifteen settings between the Comfort and Sport driving modes. This includes a mode tuned for the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

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Complementing the added grunt are upgraded brakes with twin-piston calipers. The ABS and stability control systems have also been fine-tuned to increase slip thresholds to improve braking performance and stability.

From a visual standpoint, the Golf GTI Clubsport includes a distinctive front bumper with a new splitter, 19-inch wheels, and a two-piece rear spoiler that helps to reduce lift. The hot hatch also includes black graphics on the side skirts while interior changes are limited to new upholstery on the seats.

Pricing and availability details have yet to be announced.