Monday 18th May 2015

Golf GTI Clubsport and GTE Sport at Worthersee

Clubsport road car due next year; 400hp hybrid GTE probably a bit further off

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Volkswagen is known for a silly Golf concept or two at the Worthersee festival, from a 330hp cabrio with 2,250-watt sound system to 600hp cabrio only for Gran Turismo. Expectations are high each year.

Hybrid Golfs become more interesting!

There aren't any cabrios for VW at Worthersee this year, instead two 'breathtaking Golf GT models planned for the near and medium-term future'. They are the Clubsport (near future) and the GTE Sport (medium-term, in case the doors and gigantic wheels didn't give it away).

Let's begin with the Clubsport. A roadgoing version is due next year to mark the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, and this represents 'a near-production concept car'. To all intents and purposes it appears a rival for the Megane 275 Trophy - a little more focused and edgier than standard without entirely losing sight of everyday usability.

Power is up to 265hp with an overboost function adding 'around another 10 per cent'. Obviously it's nice to see a manual in the concept too. The aero add-ons here - the front bumper, rear spoiler and diffuser - are said to significantly improve downforce and take the GTI CS 'into the realms of motorsport driving dynamics'. Intriguing. Keep a look out for the production car early in 2016. Geneva perhaps?

And the fast Golf you can actually buy soon

The GTE Sport combines the 1.6-litre turbo from the Polo WRC car with two electric motors to create a 400hp plug-in hybrid. All-wheel drive and with a carbon body, VW claims 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds, 0-124 in 15.9 and a 141mpg on the NEDC combined cycle. There are various modes that juggle the powertrain to provide electric only propulsion, maximum performance - GTE mode, of course - and so on.

A few design elements relate it back to the current fast Golf range, including the blue grille highlight from the regular GTE and wheels inspired by the 'Austin' design seen on the GTI. VW says the front end design illustrates 'how the Golf GT models could develop in the future'. There are strong hints of that crazy W12-650 in the design too, which is no bad thing in our book.

As mentioned, the Clubsport will be on the road sometime next year. The GTE Sport? Probably the same time as that 600hp cabrio.

[Atmospheric]

The idea of a GTI CS is a good one, however, VW be warned that a CS doesn't mean more power. It means reduced weight in aid of responsiveness and feedback. It means less electronics and more motorsport related parts, not just a remap.

Adding more power and calling it CS is a nonsense.

CS is a serious badge and going against the dynamic assumption of the badge, would mean another class of car murdered by VAG.

[darrenw]

We were there at Wörthersee on the VW stand when the GTE Sport was unveiled. Looks amazing in the metal!

Edited by darrenw on Monday 18th May 13:18

[Ali_T]

That CS looks hideous! If that was Ford or Honda, the VW fans would be making all manner of "chav" and "barryboy" accusations.

[MrBarry123]

That CS looks great.

[Escort Si-130]

I fully agree.

Ali_T said:

That CS looks hideous! If that was Ford or Honda, the VW fans would be making all manner of "chav" and "barryboy" accusations.

[xRIEx]

I do love a crazy concept.

[daytona365]

VW claims 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds, 0-124 in 15.9 and a 141mpg from 1.6 litres......Is all this really true, or a misprint/blatant lying ?

[xRIEx]

daytona365 said:

VW claims 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds, 0-124 in 15.9 and a 141mpg from 1.6 litres......Is all this really true, or a misprint/blatant lying ?

I'm guessing it's a lack of reading.

[loose cannon]

All a bit pointless when you can remap a golf r and do 0 to 60 in 1 second

[redroadster]

They are running out of ideas for the golf odd crease in bodywork what do they do next make headlights a bit more bling ?

[ds2000]

Ali_T said:

That CS looks hideous! If that was Ford or Honda, the VW fans would be making all manner of "chav" and "barryboy" accusations.

Agree, like they're in any better glass houses to throw stones.

Edited by ds2000 on Tuesday 19th May 12:58

[Happyjap]

I like this!