To celebrate the 40th birthday of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, a hotter version has been announced.

Volkswagen has this tradition of anniversary models and milestones such as the20th, 25th, 30th and 35th all resulted in special editions. The limited-edition 35 Golf GTI is a proper collectors item and many made their way to South Africa.

Performance Engine

Meet the new Golf GTI Clubsport, the most powerful production Golf GTI ever. Packing a direct injection and turbocharged 2.0-litre engine tuned to deliver 195 kW, this GTI is claimed to hit 100kph in just 6.0 seconds for the manual version. With the quick-shifting DSG transmission, you’re looking at 5.9 seconds for the same sprint. The torque figure hasn’t been announced, but we estimate around 380 Nm should be available.

That’s not all though. Using some clever mapping, the Golf GTI Clubsport offers 10% more power for 10 seconds, taking it to 213 kW! This overboost function is activated when the throttle is fully depressed. It’s not always about performance though as the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is claimed to consume just under 7L/100km.

It’s arguably the best-looking Golf GTI yet, with a number of tweaks in terms of design, aerodynamics and equipment. Clad in bright Oryx White paint with a contrasting black roof, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport looks menacing. It also featuresa completely new front bumper, new side skirts, a new rear diffuser, a new roof spoiler and exclusive forged aluminum-alloy wheels.

It also features Clubsport decals and a wide black trim stripe on the side between the front and rear wheel arches at skirt level. This stripe is replicated on the side of the anniversary model and pays homage to the original 1976 Golf GTI.

Inside the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport areracing bucket seats featuring tartan fabric upholstery, red stitching, a golf-ball-shaped shifter knob and black headliner. The seat belts have a red line down the middle and there’s plenty splashes of Alcantara around the cabin.

Compare an older Golf GTI to a Polo GTI. Which is the better buy?

Golf GTI Clubsport Coming To SA?

When approached for comment on the availability of the Golf GTI Clubsport in South Africa, the reply from a Volkswagen SA representative was, “We will only know after its European launch in the first quarter of 2016 if we can introduce it in SA.” Let’s hold thumbs.