VW: Anniversary Golf GTI Clubsport S with 310 hp

On this day, racing driver and instructor Benjamin Leuchter set a new lap record for standard front-wheel drive cars in the VW Golf GTI Clubsport S. The 28-year-old needed just 7:49.21 minutes to cover the 20.832 kilometers in the Green Hell. Instead of the rear seat, an arm-thick crossbar is fitted and the noise insulation has been omitted in many places. In addition, air conditioning is only available on request. In total, the engineers were able to save 30 kilograms of weight. In addition, aluminum was used for the front axle frame of the Clubsport S instead of steel as before.

A full 310 hp easily achieves a top speed of up to 265 km/h
At first glance, the 310 hp delivered by the two-liter turbocharged petrol engine is not spectacular. And they don't have to be, because much more important is the rich torque of 380 Nm, which is available over a wide range from 1850 to 5700 rpm. The Clubsport S is the first GTI not to be locked and can therefore sprint up to 265 km/h. The chassis is also impressive on the world's most demanding racetrack with its 73 bends and gradients of up to 18 percent. The suspension travel is long, but not too hard. The successful package is rounded off with a 6-speed manual gearbox and direct steering.

With the Clubsport S, VW has put the icing on the cake of the GTI series. The special model rolls on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The 50 vehicles planned for Switzerland are likely to sell like hot cakes. The price was not yet known at the time of going to press, but is likely to be around 45,000 francs. Deliveries will begin in the fall.

www.volkswagen.ch
Photos: Factory