Europe celebrates 45 years of the Golf GTi with a special Clubsport edition
German GTi fans are to be first in line for a run of Clubsport 45 models built to commemorate 45 years since the first hot Golf went on sale.
Volkswagen launched the Golf GTi in 1976 with plans to sell 5000 of them. With 2.3 million now sold, it’s safe to say that the original hot hatch was a hit.
Having unveiled the latest 300-horsepower Clubsport late in 2020, VW is raising its game again for the 45. Larger air intakes supply more cool air to the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, while an Akrapovic exhaust lets exit gases flow more freely and adds a more aggressive audio track. An open roof spoiler improves airflow, and the car’s speed limiter is removed, so expect a run of vMax YouTube videos to appear soon.
The chassis set up is the same as the Clubsport and provides an electronic locking differential along with a range of driving modes, including a Special circuit setting.
The Clubsport 45 features a back roof and rear spoiler, 19-inch black Scottsdale alloy wheels and pinstripes in Tornado Red, along with the number 45 on the rear doors. Inside the GTi legend is stitched in the headrests and the number 45 appears again on the steering wheel’s center spoke.
The Golf GTi Clubsport 45 is on sale in Germany now for €47,790 ($57,400), but unfortunately—given that the Golf 8 GTi won’t be arriving in the U.S. until the 2022 model year—the Clubsport 45 seems very unlikely to reach dealerships this side of the Atlantic.
