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View Photos of the 2021 Volkswagen GTI Clubsport

Admin June 4, 2021

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Volkswagen

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.

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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.

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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.

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The cabin is barely changed over the GTI except for unique cloth upholstery and a new Nürburgring dynamic mode.

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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.

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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.

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The Clubsport is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Despite its retuned suspension, the Clubsport’s ride was no hasher on England’s back roads than the regular GTI’s.

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We still don’t love the latest GTI’s new touchscreen interface, which suffers from a laggy screen and a complex menu structure.

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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.

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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.

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