Hatches don’t come much hotter than this one. The Golf GTI Clubsport S recently a set a new record for a front-wheel drive production auto by completing the North Loop of the Nürburgring lap in 7:49.21.
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And just to prove to how fast it was on the track, the German brand set the fastest ever lap by a front-wheel drive auto at the Nurburgring in a time of 7 minutes and 49.21 seconds, 0.5 sec quicker than the previous record set past year by a pre-production version of the Honda and a full five seconds quicker than the hard core Renault Megane RS275 Trophy R. The Golf GTI Clubsport S is then automatically named as the new record holder for FWD hatchbacks.
Both axles have been reconfigured for better grip, with the rear upgraded for a more planted feel and the front gaining some negative camber to neutralize understeer. Developed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI it is limited to just 400 units and produces 228kW and 380Nm of torque between 1700-5300kg. It has been linked to a six-speed manual transmission and the 62 miles per hour acceleration lasts 5.8 seconds – with the S topping out at 162 miles per hour.
The Clubsport S also sports a pair of bucket seats, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and a feature called Dynamic Chassis Control.
The chassis has been tuned for optimized track performance, gaining a new Nurburgring setting that can be accessed using the driving profile selector. That weight savings comes in part thanks to ditching the rear seat and offering the vehicle with a lighter manual transmission only. Other weight loss tricks include an aluminum subframe for the front suspension and a smaller battery.
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The old and the new as a first generation Volkswagen Golf drives alongside the new Golf GTI Clubsport S on Nurburgring.
