View Photos of the 2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport
In Europe, the VW GTI Clubsport sits in the narrow gap between the regular GTI and the top-spec all-wheel-drive Golf R.
Although buyers in the U.S. will only be able to buy regular GTI and top-level R versions of the latest Volkswagen Golf, other markets get a range variants. The new 296-hp GTI Clubsport model we drove in England adheres to a traditional front-wheel-drive hot-hatch formula, much like the Honda Civic Type R.
The European-market GTI Clubsport sits above the regular GTI and below the Golf R, combining a 296-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four with front-wheel drive.
The Clubsport's suspension is set 0.4 inch lower than the regular GTI's, and it also gets a unique front grille, side-sill extensions, and a rear-hatch spoiler.
The cabin is barely changed over the GTI except for unique cloth upholstery and a new Nürburgring dynamic mode.
Volkswagen says the Clubsport set a 7:55 lap around the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschliefe. That time makes the new car only about five seconds slower than the previous Clubsport S, which set a front-drive lap record at the 'Ring in 2016.
Along with its lowered suspension and additional power, the Clubsport's mechanical changes include recalibrated drive-mode settings, a more aggressive limited-slip differential, and larger brakes.
The Clubsport is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Despite its retuned suspension, the Clubsport's ride was no hasher on England's back roads than the regular GTI's.
We still don't love the latest GTI's new touchscreen interface, which suffers from a laggy screen and a complex menu structure.
The Clubsport's chassis has huge grip and confidence-inspiring stability, but it lacks the livelier engagement of front-drive alternatives such as the Honda Civic Type R.
The approximately $42,500 Clubsport costs about $5000 more than a regular automatic GTI in the U.K., which seems fair given the additional performance and technology.
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport (Euro-spec)
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