Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is Most Powerful Golf Yet

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport made an early debut on the Internet.

Set to be unveiled officially at Lake Wörthersee next week at the annual fan meet in Austria, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is the most powerful production Golf GTI yet with 261 hp, but is capable of temporary increasing its turbocharger boost pressure for 287 hp. The German automaker hasn’t announced official torque figures yet, but rumors suggest that it will be the same 258 lb-ft that the standard Golf GTI has. Getting the power to the front wheels is a six-speed, dual-clutch DSG gearbox and an electronically-controlled XDS differential. Those that are disappointed that the most powerful Golf GTI yet doesn’t have a manual transmission, fear not – the automaker has hinted that a manual will be available on the production model.

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The special model was developed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic front-wheel drive hatchback and its exterior changes gives it a much more aggressive look. The front bumper features a large central air duct with a honeycomb insert while additional trapezoidal ducts have been incorporated to help cool the front brakes. High gloss black door mirror housings go along with a black graphic along the bottom edge of the doors, paying homage to the original GTI. In the rear is a new spoiler mounted on the top of the hatch while the rear bumper has an integrated diffuser.

The model will make its debut with an Onyx White body and a black roof along with 19-inch wheels, but Volkswagen says that the production model will have 18-inch rollers.

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