Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40

In their zeal to mark the 40th anniversary of the GTI in the UK with something very, very special, Volkswagen didn’t realized they have given the celebratory model built for that purpose a rubbish name. Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 is just a mouthful.

And the problem with that is, to an uninterested eye this thing is just a Golf. It might as well be a diesel. You have to explain to them that it’s a GTI, and a Clubsport one at that, and it’s also the Edition 40. And how uncool is all that?

At any rate, Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine tuned at 265 horsepower and maximum torque, under boost, of 350 Nm. The motor features water-cooled exhaust channel to the turbocharger and  variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. All that make it very sophisticated, but also complex and potentially less reliable. Edition 40 is still very much front-wheel-drive, but it has the excellent electronically controlled front differential lock and the XDS+ vehicle dynamics function, so it doesn’t really matter. The handling will be GTI-sweet as always.

Tipping the scale at 1,375 kg, VW Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph  in 6.3 seconds whether you go for the manual or the DSG, and three- or five-door body style. The car returns 40 mpg and even has launch control which seems like a bit of an overkill. Included in the £30,875 price is a unique body kit and a custom interior with bucket seats and special materials.