Is there anyone in the world that doesn’t love a Volkswagen Golf? We’ll I’ve got to say at some points in my life, I loved the shape of them, but I didn’t find them overly comfortable to drive or be in, but I am talking the back end of the 90’s. Since then I have personally had around 5/6 Golf’s, from the GTi to the Golf R, to the plug-in hybrid GTE, with the latter being my personal favourite.
To drive a Volkswagen Golf gives you the sense of being with someone you’re vert familiar with. You may have a few gaps between seeing them, you think about them when they aren’t there and always happy to see them back. Welcome to the VW Golf GTi Clubsport…
Upgrade your VW Golf...
This is the VW Golf Mk.8 and whilst it hasn’t been a favourite of many motoring journalists or even customers, due to the more digital set-up. Complaints about the infotainment system are extremely common on forums and Volkswagen has admitted that it needed to be sorted.
Since I took delivery 2 weeks ago, I’ve not seen any of the issues that most people have reported from the early Mk.8 models, with the Mk.8.5 already on the roads, I am late to the party with this Clubsport, but as it was available on a Car Subscription where some of the run-out models end up, I wasn’t going to complain.
What is the Clubsport?
The GTi Clubsport, is the most powerful Front Wheel drive Golf on offer. It offers extra power, mid-range guts and some really fine cut bumper detailing over the standard VW GTi. And having had a VW Golf R a few years ago, my go to model would always be the GTi.
The VW Golf GTi Clubsport has a 2.0l four-cylinder engine that has been tweaked to produce 300 ps, 296bhp in old money. That is a huge gain of 54bhp over the standard set-up VW Golf GTi. Torque is 400Nm and everything is mated to the beautiful 7-speed double-clutch gearbox Volkswagen is famous for. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds up to a top speed of 155mph, where legally permitted.
The chassis has also been tweaked and the car sits 10mm lower than the standard model, it gets new springs and dampers and this model has the Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), so you can select how firm or soft you want the suspension to be.
Externals...
Externally, the car has a beefier look. The front bumper has been puffed out and given a more sharp cut look. The roof mounted rear spoiler is massive and some could use it as a shelf, it did squeak a little when we moved it slightly. There are sill extensions and stickers along the bottom of the doors just to remind us that this isn’t just any GTi.
This model has the upgraded 19″ alloys which I absolutely love, they offer a two-tone finish with black inserts and looks fast, even when stationery.
Up the rear is a different rear bumper and larger exhaust tailpipes sat either side of the remodelled diffuser.
Internals...
First thing I noticed when opening the drivers front door are the seats, they are moulded sports seats, yet look ultra-comfortable. They don’t have the usual Golf checks we’re used to, but a honeycomb effect that matches the front grille of the car.
The dashboard is nice and bright with a digital cockpit behind the steering wheel and centre mounted screen for the infotainment. No head-up display on this model, but I don’t really like this gimmick and find them a little distracting myself.
The steering wheels have those horrible touch sensitive buttons with haptic feedback, bring back physical buttons!
The infotainment system was a breeze to work and couldn’t see the lag that many people have reported on the motoring forums. Very much designed like an sideways iPad, you have a home button then icons to go into the different sections such as Nav, Radio, Settings…
Apple CarPlay (Wireless) and Android Auto are onboard and easy enough to get set-up. I didn’t like the Satellite Navigation on the car, but I always prefer to use Apple Maps when it comes to directional guidance.
The sound system was excellent and the DAB radio signal was strong, I could even listen to Virgin Radio in Belper without it dropping out, this is rare!
Surprisingly the car didn’t come with Heated Front Seats, apparently you need to add the winter pack for this, but it did come with a heated steering wheel. Sales and Marketing have probably worked out that people would be willing to pay to have a nicely heated bottom over warm hands.
This model also came with the optional panoramic sunroof, which I don’t tend to open but I do like the additional light that comes into the cabin.
On the road...
The Volkswagen Golf allows you to set-up different driving profiles; Eco, Normal, Sport (Plus an additional Nurnberg Ring setting) and individual. I couldn’t find a happy medium so I used individual; setting the steering to sport as I like a heavier feel, Eco for the engine and sound, and comfort on the suspension.
Even in Eco, the car forever feels like it wants to shift, driving around town and it feels forever eager for you to slam your accelerator down.
When you do give it some, the car goes and with the power kicking in around 1800rpm to 2000rpm, right into the 5000’s… Popping at each gearchange, you wonder how the gearbox even has time to think about selecting the next gear.
Long distance (130 miles) and the car sits lovely on the motorway, quiet and letting you forget that its a sporty model. MPG was super impressive and we easily got 42mpg on our run vs. 19mpg on our daily commute of 14 miles.
The car has Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Travel Assist but missing the Speed Limiter, unless some can put me right.
Conclusion
The answer to my first question… Everyone should love a Golf and this is a car that should not be ignored if you are in the market for a hot-hatch. As a family of 4, the car was tight. Boot space was okay, but as a 6ft tall human, those in the back suffered.
Buying a VW Golf GTi Clubsport Mk.8 is a good punt, at the moment discounts are excellent as dealers push to move the stock. In this case, the car subscription deal is excellent value for money so make sure you check it out.
It’s a sad day to see this car go…
