Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport revealed with 221kW

The wraps have come off the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport – the most powerful road-going VW GTI yet – and the ballistic new 221kW Mk8 Golf-based hot hatch is odds on to come to Australia in 2021.

Although it won’t be badged Down Under as the Clubsport, which is a name trademarked here by HSV (the previous VW Golf GTI Clubsport was named the Golf GTI 40 Years edition locally), Volkswagen Australia indicated to carsales that it would likely follow the new VW Golf GTI, which arrives in April 2021, into local showrooms.

“Special-editions are absolutely part of our thoughts for the Mk8 Golf performance range,” said Paul Pottinger, Volkswagen Group Australia’s GM of corporate communications, when asked if the Clubsport model was on the radar for Oz.

Powered by a juiced-up version of the brand’s tried-and-tested EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder that will deliver 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque – at least in Europe – the Golf GTI Clubsport has enough mumbo to butt heads with the $54,990 Honda Civic Type R.

But while Australia is no longer classified by Volkswagen as a ‘hot climate’ market, which previously resulted in Aussies being offered detuned engines compared to Europe, performance models from the German car-maker may end up being nobbled here after all.

“While the ‘hot and dusty’ climate classification is in our rear-view now, the sticking point going forward remains fuel quality and our country remaining mired in Euro 5 [emissions standards],” said Pottinger.

“While we’re more than happy with our version of the Golf GTI TCR, the European edition has a particulate filter, a different transmission and more torque,” said Pottinger, hinting that upcoming high-performance models could be throttled back.

“Australia is 10 years behind Europe in a regulatory sense and having the petrol rated 85th in the world is largely why it took so long to get the TCR. This factor already affects a number of model lines.”

For the record, in Australia the 2.0-litre turbo engine in the newly launched Mk7.5 Golf GTI TCR limited-edition produces 213kW/350Nm, making it the most powerful Golf GTI in Australia today, while the final Mk7.5 Golf R delivers 213kW/380Nm and Volkswagen Australia has already said the new Mk8 Golf GTI will come with a carryover 180kW/370Nm engine.

So even if it’s detuned for our market, the new Golf Clubsport will be a considerable step up in power over the standard Golf GTI, given its European outputs of 221kW/400Nm.

But it remains to be seen whether the Mk8 Clubsport delivers more performance than the limited-edition Mk7.5 TCR when it lobs locally – most likely mid next year – and what name it will go by.

Meantime, according to documents leaked in January, the new Mk8 Golf R will be upgraded to deliver no less than 245kW, but that figure is also likely to be dialed back 15kW or so to cope with Australia’s high-sulfur fuel.

Volkswagen’s new Golf flagship, which was supposed to make its global debut months ago but was delayed by COVID-19, is now looking like a “back end of 2021 arrival [in Australia”, said Pottinger.

According to official specs released in Germany, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport will be fitted exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (meaning the manual has been axed), and can accelerate to 100km/h in under six seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

VW says mid-corner power delivery is enhanced via a new variable-locking front differential, firmer and lower (-15mm) suspension and greater front wheel camber. The track-ready GTI’s steering has also been tweaked to provide improved response, and the brakes have been upgraded to cope with more punishment.

Also included is a ‘Special’ drive mode designed specifically for the Nurburgring, which softens the suspension to deal with the 21km road course’s lumpy sections.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport rides on 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels and gets extra eye candy in the form of a bigger, lower and bolder front apron with body-coloured upside-down ‘fangs’. There are understated decals on the doors and, at the rear, a large roof spoiler and twin circular exhaust outlets.

Inside, the GTI Clubbie features an athletic but upmarket cabin with high-backed, heavily bolstered sports seats covered in ‘ArtVelour’ fabric upholstery, plus a flat-bottom steering wheel and plenty of crimson stitching.