Volkswagen Unveils the Most Powerful Golf GTI: The Clubsport
Historic Racing Debut: The Unique Golf GTI Clubsport 24h Set to Compete in the ADAC 24-Hour Race with Innovative E20 Fuel
Celebrating Golf’s Legacy: Three Classic Golf GTIs to Participate in the ADAC 24h Classic Race
Wolfsburg – The countdown to Germany’s largest motorsport event has begun: the legendary ADAC 24-hour race at the Nürburgring will commence on June 1, with over 200,000 spectators expected. This year, the event will showcase the iconic Golf, as Volkswagen celebrates the 50th anniversary of this legendary model. The celebration will be extraordinary: Volkswagen is set to debut the new Golf GTI Clubsport, featuring a robust powertrain and top-tier sports suspension, as a world premiere.
Adding to the excitement, the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h will participate in the 24-hour race. This unique GTI, boasting 256 kW / 348 PS, will be piloted by motorsport stars Benny Leuchter (Germany) and Johan Kristoffersson (Sweden). The race car, bearing the number 50, honors the half-century milestone of the Golf’s success story. Additionally, three classic Golf GTIs will join the ADAC 24h Classic race, celebrating over 37 million Golfs produced to date.
World Premiere of the New Golf GTI Clubsport
Kicking off a thrilling GTI weekend, Volkswagen will unveil the most powerful front-wheel-drive Golf yet, the Golf GTI Clubsport, on Friday, May 31, at 4:30 p.m. on the ‘Ring Boulevard’. This enhanced model features a redesigned front, more potent than ever, with revamped standard LED Plus headlights and an illuminated Volkswagen logo. A substantial rear roof spoiler ensures maximum downforce, while the refreshed LED tail light clusters and new 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels add to its striking appearance. An optional 19-inch Warmenau forged wheel, weighing just eight kilograms, further optimizes performance by reducing unsprung mass.
Inside, the new multifunction leather sports steering wheel and advanced Infotainment system offer intuitive control, enabling the driver to stay focused on the road. The top-tier GTI model also introduces the voice assistant IDA with Chat GPT integration.
Performance Tailored for the Nordschleife
The Golf GTI Clubsport’s performance is fine-tuned for the Nürburgring Nordschleife with its Special driving profile. An electronically controlled front differential lock channels the turbocharged engine’s power and torque to the track. Optional DCC adaptive chassis control enhances handling, while the Vehicle Dynamics Manager ensures optimal lateral dynamics for peak performance on the undulating Nordschleife.
Innovative Motorsport: Testing Alternative Fuels
Max Kruse Racing’s Golf GTI Clubsport 24h showcases the future of alternative fuels in motorsport. Built on the production GTI’s foundation, this race car, enhanced by Benny Leuchter and his team, features a 348 PS 2.0-liter turbocharged engine powered by Shell’s innovative E20 bioethanol fuel. This high-tech fuel, developed at the Shell Technology Centre in Hamburg, offers 35-40% lower CO2 emissions compared to conventional bioethanol fuels, thanks to a 40% renewable content from residual and waste materials.
A Potent Race Car with a Strong Team
The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h delivers exceptional performance, boasting a 270 km/h top speed and a weight-to-power ratio of 3.36 kg/PS. Its 450 Nm torque is efficiently managed by the turbocharged engine and E20 fuel. Max Kruse Racing’s driver team includes seasoned professionals like Benny Leuchter and Johan Kristoffersson, supported by Nürburgring experts Nico Otto and Heiko Hammel.
Classic Golf GTIs in the ADAC 24h Classic Race
Ahead of the main race, three first-generation Golf GTIs will delight spectators at the ADAC 24h Classic. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, KWL Motorsport will field a 1981 Golf GTI 16S Oettinger (Group 4) with 208 PS, a 1978 Golf GTI Kamei (Group 2) with 183 PS, and a 1980 Golf GTI (Group 2) with 184 PS, all adorned with a special camouflage design marking Golf’s 50-year legacy.
1 Golf GTI Clubsport – near-production vehicle.
2 Golf GTI Clubsport 24h – race car. The model will not be available for sale.
3 Optional equipment.
