Tuesday 7th July 2015

New VW Golf GTI Clubsport images

Latest round of 'ring pics build excitement for the stripped-out, half-caged GTI

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Now this could be the fast Golf we've been waiting for. While the GTI is excellent, it's hardly the most thrilling hot hatch around. And the all-conquering R? Er, we're yet to be blown away.

A roll cage. In a Golf. Yes!

But the news of a GTI Clubsport was big news, with a manual gearbox, weight out and proper driver focus. Now we have covered the car before, but these latest set of images are interesting with even more design cues now included from the concept.

This car has even more aggressive front aero, the Clubsport decals are on and the spoiler is now integrated into the boot. The cage is still visible in the back, the wheels still look like the optional Golf R 19s and it's still very red. Good stuff.

The rapid progress of the Golf Clubsport (is it too early for CS?) from idea to concept to this suggests it will be available sooner rather than later. We know it will be launched for the GTI's 40th anniversary next year but where a Geneva '16 debut looked likely, could it now be Frankfurt in September for a launch early next year? We know there's a Honda and a Renault keen to show it who's hot hatch boss.

 

[Photos: Bridge to Gantry]

 

[EricE]

Do I see a carbon roof there? Pretty cool. Low weight, fancy electronic LSD, more power — this should be quick.

I would guess they will announce the GTI Clubsport in Frankfurt and the final R400 in Geneva.

[EricE]

csd19 said:

Is it not a bit strange that in their stripped out, half caged special, they refuse to fit a proper LSD? Surely if it's going to appeal to the enthusiast they wouldn't really mind paying an extra £1k for a Quaife or Wavetrac.

It should have the VAQ diff gubbins which is an e-LSD.

VW said:

Electronically controlled front-axle transverse differential lock (VAQ)
For the vehicles developed in the MQB system – and for the first time
in front-wheel drive production vehicles – an electronically controlled
front-axle transverse differential lock (VAQ) will be available. VAQ
passed grueling endurance tests at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring
in the past two years. The electronically controlled front-axle transverse
differential lock is a powerful addition to the familiar ASR, XDS and ESP
control systems. The new system is based on a multi-plate coupler that
is located between the differential cage and the right drive shaft. The
pressure required to actuate the VAQ is produced and regulated by an
electrically-powered hydraulic pump. A control unit continually adjusts
for the optimal locking power as a function of the driving situation.


For example, this prevents slip of the wheel with the least grip in a split
friction (split-µ) situation or slip of the wheel on the inside of the curve in
turning situations. In dynamic driving, VAQ applies the drive torque to the
wheel on the inside of the curve and the outer wheel on the road according
to the different vertical wheel forces. The vehicle remains very neutral
right up to its performance limits by this so-called torque vectoring effect.
Curves can therefore be driven more precisely and with greater stability
than ever before with a front-wheel drive car. The traction disadvantages
of front-wheel drive vehicles are essentially eliminated. Significantly more
agile driving behaviour and higher speeds through curves also generate
even more driving fun and better performance.

Not sure how it compares to a "hardcore" Quaife or Wavetrac but it should be a massive improvement over an open diff car using brakes to emulate a locking differential.

I think this has the potential to be one of the best handling FWD cars of all time if they get the calibration right. Wasn't the lead developer for the 997.2 GT3 RS also responsible for the Mk 7 GTI? Hopefully he's also behind this!

edit: yes he was:

autocar said:

But there's really only one thing you need to know about the latest GTI to understand why it's as peachy to drive as it is. The chap who signed off the chassis of this car used to work for Porsche until VW gave him a new set of overalls with the words 'Golf GTI' emblazoned on them. And when he worked for Porsche, his last job was to sign off the 997-generation 911 GT3 RS. So right there, you can see the pedigree that the new GTI contains – because the 997 GT3 RS was one of the best-handling Porsche road cars that there has ever been. Amen.

Edited by EricE on Wednesday 8th July 10:37