What better way to launch the high-performing variant of a sports model than by putting it through its paces on the track? Well, that’s exactly what Volkswagen will be doing for the Golf GTI Clubsport. Celebrating the VW Golf’s 50th anniversary, the German automaker will present the new Golf GTI Clubsport at the legendary ADAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on June 01.
In addition, a one-off GTI, the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, will participate in the 24-hour race. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, which is prepared by Max Kruse Racing, is powered by a 2.0L engine turbocharged engine producing 348 PS, and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque which allows the 1,170-kilogram (2,580-lb) race car to make a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph). If anyone’s doing the math, that works out to a pretty strong 3.36 kg/PS weight-to-power ratio.
It will be driven by motorsport stars including Benny Leuchter from Germany and Johan Kristoffersson from Sweden. Interestingly, it will run on bioethanol E20 fuel for reduced CO2 emissions. Oh, the race number isn’t a coincidence. The organizer is kind enough to let the one-off race car have the number 50 as a birthday gift. As you can see, this handsome Golf GTI race car is rocking advanced aerodynamics and is dressed in a striking camouflage design.
As for the road-going Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport, it is the most powerful Golf with front-wheel drive thus far. It is rocking a redesigned front and for the first time, an illuminated Volkswagen logo. The new road-legal GTI Clubsport further features a large rear spoiler, new LED Plus headlights, and taillights, and it rolls on 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels with optional 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels, weighing only 8 kg (17.6 lbs) each.
The sports car also benefits from an electronically controlled front differential lock, DCC adaptive chassis control, a special driving profile for Nürburgring Nordschleife, On the inside, it boasts a new multifunction leather sports steering wheel, updated Infotainment system, and voice assistant IDA with Chat GPT integration.
In addition to the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h participation, the three first-generation Golf GTIs will participate in the ADAC 24h Classic race, celebrating 45 years of KWL Motorsport and 50 years of Golf.
Well, this sure sounds like a wet dream for VW Golf enthusiasts.
Images: Volkswagen.
