This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf. While the Golf GTI didn’t make its debut until June 1976, Volkswagen is using this year’s Nürburgring 24-hour race to honor the original Golf and the latest GTI. There is a rich history behind the GTI, with eight VW employees working in secret to create the first GTI, which was initially planned to have only 5,000 units produced for racing purposes. However, Volkswagen ended up selling nearly 500,000 first-gen GTIs and over 2 million throughout all generations. The unveiling of the first GTI Clubsport happened in 2016, bridging the gap between the GTI Performance and Golf R models, with an updated version introduced in 2021.
The latest Clubsport model will be revealed during the upcoming 2024 Nürburgring 24-hour event. Promising to be the most powerful front-wheel-drive Golf in the range, it will feature a new front end design, illuminated VW logo, reworked LED Plus headlights, a large rear hatch spoiler, and 19-inch Queenstown wheels. Options will include a lightweight forged 19-inch wheel option called Warmenau, providing enhanced performance. Drivers will enjoy a new leather-wrapped steering wheel and a special driving profile optimized for the Nürburgring Nordschleife track.
In addition to the new Clubsport model, Volkswagen will have a one-off Golf GTI Clubsport 24h competing in the race, producing 343 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque while running on Shell’s E20 synthetic bioethanol fuel. Meanwhile, three vintage GTIs will participate in the ADAC 24h Classic race, showcasing their performance heritage.
Stay tuned for more details on the production GTI Clubsport and keep an eye out for potential Nürburgring track performances. As with previous Clubsport models, it is unlikely that this version will be available in the United States.
FAQ
Q: Will the GTI Clubsport be available for purchase in the US?
A: It’s unlikely that the GTI Clubsport will be offered for sale in the United States due to previous models not being available there.
Conclusion
The Volkswagen Golf GTI has a rich history of performance and innovation, with the latest Clubsport model set to continue this tradition at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new release.
