Two sports thoroughbreds tested: the VW Golf GTI and Clubsport Clubsport S. tried in circuit and we tell you how are the most powerful Golf GTI production history.

Nürburgring, April 20, 2016, Paddock T13. The sound of a bottle uncorked followed by a shower that wets both man and machine. It is holding awaited moment, after almost three years of work and development: a time 7:49:20, he Volkswagen driver Benny Leuchter, achieved the lap record at the wheel of the VW Golf GTI ClubSport S. Until then, no car front-wheel drive series had completed a return to Nürburgring so fast.

VW Golf GTI Clubsport S, below 7:50

Following the recent history of the German giant, it seems that ‘transparency’ has become the new favorite word for Volkswagen workers. Or at least so for the development team it is Volkswagen Golf GTI the best of all time. Maybe that’s why we were invited to test the model right away. In parallel with the fastest laps of Leuchter, we make a double superprueba to discover what differentiates S Clubsport 310 hp (Which, by the way, there is only a limited edition 400 units) of the GTI Clubsport "normal" from 290 hp.

We look at March 22, 2016, date of our first encounter with the GTI Clubsport S. That day consisted only see and touch, while a little further, the ‘super-Golf’ struggle to achieve the record. A superb 7:50 looks at the clock. Everything went as planned, but the team of Volkswagen there is some dissatisfaction with his racehorse. ‘Da for more. 7:50 feasible down ‘, ensure both the pilot and the head of coordination of mechanical equipment of Volkswagen, Karsten Schebsdat. this time a decade ago was unthinkable a car like this … but today this compact is faster than they were then they supercars in this type of evidence.

VW Golf GTI Clubsport S: Thank you for your worth!

Arrival to the world of VW Golf GTI Clubsport S reminds a little of the arrival of the first GTI. In 1973, five employees of Volkswagen invented, in a private apartment in Wolfsburg, surrounded by sandwiches and beer, the first sports Golf. Similarly, the idea of ​​S Clubsport began in July 2013 almost as a hobby for a small team with a lot of determination that got the project off floors up within the company to reach managers. Would you convinced the project? The answer you before your eyes.

March 29, 2016: Volkswagen He has reserved Nordschleife for one day, but rain prevented achieve the desired record. By the afternoon the weather changes, the sun rises and the track dried. But the team’s efforts are in vain again: ‘Nothing grip on the track. It is very greasy. We can forget today, “he concluded Benny after a record 7:54. “Our fastest lap will have to wait ‘.

But our superprueba It was not based on the timings in Nürburgring. After earning the trust of those responsible we had to sign a confidentiality statement, and we had prepared the same unit that later would beat the record for our excursion from Nürburgring to the Bavarian fields. The next day, in the garage of writing, only a perceptive fellow noticed the absence of the two rear seats, one of the few differences that differentiate the ClubSport S of a Normal ClubSport.

VW Golf GTI S Clubsport Clubsport and more differences

And where exactly are the differences between two relatives of the GTI? Even in the logo ‘ClubSport’ flanks carry both models an identical body. Compared to previous models GTI seventh generation, the ClubSport brothers have, among other things, a completely new front with an air diffuser and a called aerodynamic elements "Air-Curtain".

behind the air channels, which guide the air through the bumpers and optimize aerodynamics. In addition, Sport Club Golf GTI models They have new side skirts, a new rear diffuser and a roof spoiler divided into two.

It is rumored that future sporty versions of the Volkswagen models It will eliminate the manual and DSG transmissions will be used only. Dear lovers shifters: we are becoming an endangered species. In the model in question, the GTI Clubsport S, the manual transmission 20 reduces weight in kilos.

The Volkswagen GTI Glof Clubsport S weighs only 1,319 kilos

April 4, 2016. We are in Backnang, in the region of Swabia. The pair of the two VW Golf GTI Clubsport (and Clubsport S) undergoes routine checks: test power, wheel alignment, tire pressure … many numbers to handle. The most draws our attention appears to put the ClubSport S on the scale: only 1,319 kilos with 50 liter tank brimful. In comparison, the GTI Performance with manual shift weighs 1,406 kilos.

1,319 kilos, the Clubsport S is 62 kilos lighter than ClubSport. Actually the weight difference is greater, because this unit ClubSport S It leads, for safety reasons, a roll bar and a belt of four points that add about 27 additional kilos.

Compared to the equivalent version of the kit ClubSport, he ClubSport S loses about 30 kilos. Keys diet: the rear seats are omitted, the battery is smaller, the isolation is removed, the bottom of the adjustable boot is suppressed, it has eased the suspension and the subframe is aluminum, like the disks front brakes.

The heart of the beast Golf GTI Clubsport: 2.0 TSI 888 EA

The difference in weight of 62 kilos is limited, therefore the two units used in our test. Y the extra kilos normal ClubSport They are more than justified by its equipment: browser, sound system with eight speakers, air conditioning Climatronic car … The author has no record of this.

¿And who roars under the hood of the ClubSport? As in all Golf GTI models of the seventh generation Golf, the engine is a two-liter TSI called EA888. But in the cars before us is subjected to stricter conditions. At ClubSport It normal turbo direct injection and maximum travel power 290 hp. The engine GTI ClubSport S, meanwhile, it has been conveniently optmizado to achieve 310 hp.

While Volkswagen Golf GTI have never excelled in what regards to noise, the roar of ClubSport S, especially at high speeds, anticipated arrival big. Technicians have succeeded in giving this sound with a new exhaust system, which reduces the stress thanks to a larger diameter (65 mm instead of 55mm). The effect achieved: get a GTI with a sound to match its quality.

Braking performance and superb slalom

Most critics say that it has achieved record ClubSport S pre-production that the documentation listed as a test vehicle, and not a standard. According Volkswagen, the unit itself is used discharged as standard car. We have no absolute, clear certainty, but measurements show that our technical center the engine itself is the standard.

Both TSI engines easily and forcefully pushed to the limit speed. Achieve the high speeds no longer appear dangerous. The record held until now the Honda Civic Type R, with a time of 7:50:60. But lately it has revealed certain discrepancy between the characteristics of the Civic series and the unit broke the record.

April 6, 2016. Field testing aviation Lahr, where traditionally performed the test acceleration, braking and slalom. In these tests arouse special enthusiasm results in braking of both compact, They are yielding to the level of the most renowned sports. Braking system GTI ClubSport S It was modified with respect to the ClubSport. At the front axle are aluminum disks. Brake pads ClubSport S are also different from his brother. These brakes benefit lateral dynamics: thanks to the aluminum disc wheel weight is reduced kilo. And here it is shown that the ClubSport brothers are experts in driving dynamics: 140 km / h in slalom and 162 km / h in test elk, ClubSport S is as fast as a Porsche 991.1 Turbo S. And it is no less surprising than the normal ClubSport is only slightly slower.

Grip, Grip, hooray!

April 11, 2016. We get a short course in Hockenheim: finally in our hands the two GTI to make our circuit superprueba. Clean braking a bit late in the curve, yields accurately and soon bring the gas to the limit. We are testing first the Golf GTI ClubSport. With optional 19-inch wheels and tires Michelin Cup, the GTI accurately follows the ideal trajectory traced. Not only surprised his good work in the distribution of G forces, but also by transmitting traction under load. At the apex of curve can depress the throttle without fear and front axle suspension electronically controlled tensile load put cleanly.

The progressive direction wins points with its precise feedback and not too soft support force. With that and all we were satisfied. Unlike the superprueba Seat Leon Cupra and other compact Volkswagen Group, the Clubsport also shines in braking sections with your system ABS, perfectly configured. And we can not fail to mention the perfect chassis configuration. All this combined achieved a lap time of 1:14:20. This record did not last long as a better time. He Clubsport S, in his turn, brought him down to 1:13:10 to be crowned the fastest front-wheel drive Hockenheim.

The Golf GTI ClubSport S, the fastest front-wheel drive in Hockenheim

April 20, 2016. The day of the record: Volkswagen He has returned to reserve exclusive Nürburgring, but only for an hour. Suspension, steering, brakes … in this the ClubSport S today everything is done with precision, stability and greater resistance. In fact, the developers modified the chassis even further.

As in Hochenheim in ClubSport S It is well appreciated that the body is lower than the ClubSport to dry. But there is a difference from Hockenheim: there the car ran the Race mode, whereas in this case, the developers have implemented a configuration for damping specially designed for Nürburgring, It coming into operation in single player mode. The GTI ClubSport absorbed bumps and curbs without problems, was able to pass over any obstacle without difficulty.

An hour to accomplish the feat is all a very tight deadline. Along with Benny, the pilot, we cross the parallel circuit aboard a ClubSport S with a similar unit configuration that will make history. Refueling, change tires, oil check … only when each indicator was about two cars proceeded to do three fast laps one after the other. While Benny was still circling the track, our time with the Golf GTI ClubSport S remains in 7:56:90. It is easy to fall eight minutes at the Nurburgring without having had much time to acclimatize.

A hotbed of technology

Compared to the Golf GTI basic ClubSport, he ClubSport S It has a greater tilt forward and greater agility by designing the geometry of the axes. To achieve greater drop in ClubSport S has changed the binding between the wheels and bearings. For a more accurate and stable response, the suspension wishbone bearing is stiffer front and rear.

The front axle of ClubSport It is the same bearing the Audi A3 in its aluminum platform. While ClubSport normally takes a conventional chassis, the S version is shipped with the adaptive chassis DCC. Thanks to him, damping settings can be changed. While in the short course we received in Hochenheim Race mode came in handy, developers Volkswagen introduced a special configuration for single mode with which the damping requirements adapted Nürburgring. This configuration results in a suspension or too hard nor too soft making the ClubSport S move over bumps or other irregularities without practically notice them.

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