By Otsile Kadiege 

Volkswagen recently unveiled the facelifted Golf 8.5 GTI Clubsport which, like the standard Golf 8 GTI, gets an exterior and interior design update with model-specific styling, and new technology to name a few.

Golf 8.5 GTI Clubsport exterior styling

Outside, the MK8.5 GTI Clubsport sets itself apart with a redesigned front bumper including a neatly integrated front lip, redesigned LED headlights, an illuminated VW badge, a redesigned rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, redesigned LED taillights, large exhaust tips as well as a large rear spoiler for maximum downforce. It also sport model specific decals on the front doors and is shod with recently introduced, Alfa Romeo Teledial-like 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels. As a further option, the Golf GTI Clubsport can now be configured with the new 19-inch Warmenau forged wheel. With a weight of only eight kilograms per wheel rim, the forged wheels are said to reduce the unsprung masses and thus optimise performance.

Golf 8.5 GTI Clubsport interior styling and tech

The interior of the updated Golf GTI Clubsport gets the same updates seen on the standard Golf 8 GTI facelift. Highlights include a large, driver-focused touch display measuring 10.4- to 12.9-inches, touch sliders for the temperature and volume control have been newly developed, physical buttons on the sporty multifunctional steering wheel, replacing the often difficult to operate capacitive buttons, an advanced Digital Cockpit Pro measuring 10.2-inches with model-specific information display and an optional head-up display.

Golf 8.5 GTI Clubsport performance

Underneath the bonnet is Volkswagen’s tried and tested turbocharged (EA888 LK3 evo4) 2.0-litre engine developing 221kW and 400Nm. It’s paied with a 7-speed DSG transmission and Volkswagen claims it accelerates from a zeri to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and it has an electronically limited to 250 km/h. However, this limit can be lifted with the Race package – which raises the top speed to 267 km/h.

The Golf 8.5 GTI has an optional DCC adaptive chassis control. Another highlight of the Golf GTI Clubsport is the exclusive Special driving profile. This matches systems relevant for driving dynamics to the special track characteristics of the Nürburgring – in order to compensate for the undulations typical of the Nordschleife, maximum performance is achieved by means of a specific vertical setup of the DCC adaptive chassis control and a modified lateral dynamics setup of the standard Vehicle Dynamics Manager.

Availability

Volkswagen South Africa is yet to confirm if the Golf 8.5 GTI Clubsport will be coming to SA.