WORTHERSEE: VW teases fastest Golf GTI ever

Volkswagen is using the annual Austrian Worthersee GTI fan meet to unveil the fastest, most powerful Golf GTI ever made.

Created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI that was first introduced back in 1976, the new concept, called the GTI Clubsport Turbo, uses the same EA888 direct-injection TSI 2.0-litre turbo-four already in use in the 162kW GTI and 169KW GTI Performance Pack.

Under the bonnet of the Clubsport the wick has been turned up to 195kW that, for brief burst only, has an overboost function that increases peak power even further to 214kW for fast overtakes.

Volkswagen hasn’t released performance figures for the Clubsport but, since the GT Performance Pack sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.4sec and tops out at 248km/h, the new concept could shave as much as 0.5 off the 0-100km/h and increase top speed to around 260km/h.

To help cope with the new power, the Clubsport is said to have retuned stiffer suspension and more aggressive dampers.

Externally, there’s a new front bumper that incorporates a huge central air intake to feed the more powerful engine. There’s also a subtle front splitter and gloss black blades indicating a tweak to the Golf’s aero to keep it stable at its higher top speed.

Perhaps more exciting for Golf GTI enthusiasts is both the Clubsport’s more powerful engine and styling kit is set to become part of an all-new special edition Volkswagen will offer in 2016.

Set to be called the Edition 40, the new special edition is thought to be offered with both the standard six-speed manual and six-speed dual clutch automatic and be offered in very limited numbers.

On sale next year it’s not known if the more powerful version of the Golf GTI will travel Down Under. More information is expected following its unveiling at the festival.