Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45 on sale now

Volkswagen’s commemorative 45th anniversary edition of the Golf GTI is priced from £39,980

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45 is on sale in the UK now, with prices starting from £39,980. It’s based on the hottest version of the company’s long-lived front-wheel drive hatchback, but with a few tweaks to celebrate the Golf GTI’s 45th birthday.

Styling revisions over the standard Golf GTI Clubsport include gloss black mirror caps, a gloss black tailgate spoiler and special edition “45” badges for the car’s flanks. There’s also a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels with red detailing.

Inside, it gets Art Velours-trimmed sports seats embroidered with the GTI logo. There’s a new sports steering wheel, too, which carries the same special edition 45 badging as the car’s exterior.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Aside from visual changes, there’s also a new lightweight Akrapovič titanium exhaust system. Volkswagen has also fitted the Clubsport with a new “Race” package, which removes the car’s 155mph top speed restrictor. That means, this special edition Golf GTI is the fastest model in the Golf line-up, with a top speed of 166mph.

Like the Golf GTI Clubsport, the Clubsport 45 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 296bhp and 400Nm of torque. That’s 54bhp and 30Nm more than the standard Mk8 Golf GTI.

It is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which sends drive to the front wheels via an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential for improved traction. Like the standard Clubsport, the 45 can sprint from 0–62mph in 5.6 seconds.

The first-generation Golf GTI was launched back in 1976 as one of the originals of the hot hatchback genre. Since then, Volkswagen has sold more than 2.3 million examples across eight generations. 

With this 45th anniversary model arriving so early in the latest Golf’s lifecycle, we’re faced with the prospect of the Mk8 GTI remaining on sale for the car’s 50th birthday, too.

Now read our review of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front cornering left 1

Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month

The Golf GTI has been a classic from day one – and it’s our Deal of the Day for 8 July.
News
8 Jul 2025
Best classic cars - the classics we’d most love to own
Best classic cars - July 25

Best classic cars - the classics we’d most love to own

These are our favourite classic cars, from British beauties to V8-engined beasts
Best cars & vans
8 Jul 2025
Best hot hatchbacks to buy 2025
Best hot hatchbacks - header image

Best hot hatchbacks to buy 2025

The very best hot hatchbacks offer giant-killing performance and an engaging drive, all wrapped up in a family-friendly package
Best cars & vans
4 Jul 2025
Powerful new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 celebrates a half century of GTIs
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 - front

Powerful new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 celebrates a half century of GTIs

VW has answered the call to give us a true successor to the epic Clubsport S with the new GTI Edition 50
News
20 Jun 2025

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025