VW has ruled out a stripped-out Clubsport S version of the Golf GTI MK8, at least for the time being, putting an end to the hopes of hardcore hot hatch fans.

This means that the freshly revealed Golf GTI Clubsport will remain the sharpest tool in the GTI range, offering 296 HP out of the 2.0-liter TFSI engine and a retuned chassis for more aggressive handling.

Volkswagen confirmed the news to Autocar, saying that a successor of the lap record-setting Clubsport S is “not planned now”, but stopped short of revealing why exactly.

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

2016 VW Golf GTI Clubsport S

With the German carmaker currently shifting billions towards its EV transformation, it’s not exactly hard to understand why a two-seater track-focused hot hatch isn’t on top of their priorities.

The report also mentions that the combination of the financial losses from the pandemic and the Dieselgate scandal might have played a role here, and we totally agree.

The previous VW Golf GTI Clubsport S was subjected to an extensive diet and was limited to just 400 examples, featuring a two-seater interior and a 306 HP version of the 2.0-liter TFSI engine, making it the most powerful Golf GTI in the history of the nameplate.

That special Golf GTI managed to lap the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 47.19 seconds, beating the record for a production front-wheel-drive car at the German track. Since then, the title has changed hands twice, first with the Honda Civic Type R and then with the Renault Megane RS Trophy R, which is the current titleholder with a lap time of 7 minutes, 40.1 seconds.

Hopefully, the upcoming VW Golf R will help ease the pain for the fans of fast Golfs out there as it’s expected to offer more power combined with all-wheel-drive.

A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW
A Stripped-Out Golf GTI Clubsport S Is Out Of The Question – At Least For Now, Says VW