With the special Golf GTI Clubsport 45, Volkswagen recently marked 45 years since the introduction of the first Golf GTI (Grand Touring Injection).

The Clubsport 45 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 297 hp (218 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. Power transmission to the front wheels is via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It reaches 62 mph in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 166 mph (267 km / h). It rides on 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

The German magazine Sport Auto has decided that the most powerful Golf GTI so far will face the famous German track Nürburgring Nordschleife. Test driver Christian Gebhardt completed a lap in eight minutes and 2.66 seconds. That’s a slightly better time than the seventh-generation Golf GTI TCR (08: 04.92).

The Golf GTI Clubsport 45 was significantly slower than the Renault Megan RS Trophy-R whose best time of seven minutes and 55.12 seconds was achieved with the same driver.

The new Honda Civic Type R will soon be tested at the Nürburgring. Whether it will return the title of the fastest with front-wheel drive to Japan remains to be seen.

Source: Volkswagen