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Volkswagen Marks 40 Years Of GTI With 267HP Clubsport

Volkswagen will celebrate 40 years since the introduction of the Golf GTI at the beginning of 2016, so just as they did on the model’s 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th birthdays, they are marking the occasion with a limited edition model. This one’s called the GTI Clubsport, and simply put, it’s the most powerful GTI ever produced.

The GTI Clubsport is powered by the same 2.0-liter, direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the standard car, however output has been boosted to 261 horsepower. As an added bonus, the car has an overboost function that can bump that figure to 286 horsepower for around 10 seconds. It’s pretty easy to activate, too, all you have to do is floor it.

The engine is connected to a standard six-speed manual transmission, which enables the car to sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds flat. A 6-speed DSG automatic is also offered, cutting that figure down to 5.9 seconds. No matter the transmission choice the GTI Clubsport’s top speed will be 155 mph, and despite the impressive numbers, it can still return 35 MPG if equipped with the DSG.

Volkswagen says the GTI Clubsport has more downforce than the standard model, which we prpesume comes mostly from the larger rear hatch spoiler, which was honed in the automaker’s wind tunnel. Specific upgrades to the suspension aren’t mentioned, however VW does claim the GTI Clubsport has “groundbreaking handling properties at high speeds and breathtaking cornering speeds.”

As for the looks, there’s a black ‘Clubsport’ decal running just aft the side skirts, ‘Brescia’ 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, black mirror caps, a new front bumper, side sills and rear diffuser, the aforementioned spoiler, larger chrome-plated tailpipes and dark black-red taillights. Inside there’s sport seats with a Tartan pattern and red stitching, a honeycomb design on the dash, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red seam and stainless steel kick plates in the doors.

Pricing and availability for the 2016 GTI Clubsport has yet to be announced, however it’s reported that it won’t be coming to North America. Chalk another one up to the ‘Awesome Hatchbacks America Doesn’t Get’ board.

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