New Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2015 review - pictures

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport

Over the course of 40 years, 2 million Golf GTIs have been sold

For it’s 40^th anniversary, Volkswagen has tweaked the formula by adding more power, better aerodynamics and semi-slick tyres to the Mk7 GTI to make the Clubsport

The Clubsport boosts maximum power to a not-insignificant 286bhp, similar to a VW Golf R

Volkswagen bosses insist this modified GTI is the drivers’ choice, completing 2.9-mile Portuguese race track, Portimao three to four seconds faster per lap.

All Clubsports gets the same plush interior as the normal GTI

The centre console and dash of the Clubsport are of the quality you would expect from Volkswagen

The Clubsport is a full second slower to 62mph than the Golf R (5.9 seconds vs 4.9 seconds), while the manual CS posts exactly the same time – adding six tenths to the benchmark sprint

New spring rates, revised dampers and different bump stops make this a Golf like no other

We expect the Clubsport to be a flattering road car thanks to the compliant ride and punchy engine