VW Golf GTI Clubsport Mk 8.5 Previewed Ahead of Nurburgring Debut

The all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk 8.5 is set to debut at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.

It appears that Volkswagen has unblurred the previously-teased special Golf model earlier than its anticipated debut at this year’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race. As it turns out, this special model is indeed the Clubsport version of the recently-facelifted Golf GTI Mk 8.5, which is touted to be the most potent FWD Golf ever made by the German marque.

Unfortunately, Volkswagen has yet to reveal the details of the facelifted GTI Clubsport, other than saying that it will boast “a powerful drive and high-end sports suspension." With the standard GTI facelift already outputting 261 HP out of its improved 2.0-litre 4-cyl TSI turbocharged heart, we can expect the new GTI Clubsport to surpass the pre-facelift Clubsport’s 291 HP output, possibly reaching the Golf R’s 300-HP territory.

To complement this power boost, the new GTI Clubsport will feature a ‘special’ driving profile that has been developed and adapted to the Nurburgring track. This means that the special GTI will sport a revised chassis setup with the optional DCC adaptive chassis control.

On the visual front, the new GTI Clubsport gets a revised front face, featuring a more aggressive front bumper design with sharp fins, complemented by an illuminated VW emblem and new LED headlights. Besides the fiercer front end, the new GTI Clubsport also gets a larger rear wing and a more rugged rear diffuser that also houses its dual-piped Akrapovic exhaust system while riding on the new 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels, with an option to upgrade to the lighter 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels.

Inside, the new GTI Clubsport will get the same, newly-updated amenities as we saw on other facelifted Golf models. This includes the larger central infotainment screen with ChatGPT integration and the return of several physical buttons, while the Clubsport-specific touches come in the form of heavy-bolstered sport front seats with integrated headrests, a leather-wrapped sporty steering wheel, and many more.

To go along with this new Golf GTI Clubsport facelift, Volkswagen will also fleet out the special VW Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, which will participate in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring using sustainable E20 bioethanol fuel. This one-off Clubsport racer will be joined by a trio of race-prepared Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1.

Thanks to some serious racing modifications, this one-off Golf GTI Clubsport 24h is capable of delivering 343 HP and 450 NM. Besides its wild aero kit that includes a massive GT-style rear wing and a widebody kit, the special Golf GTI Clubsport 24h will also wear the racing number #50 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Golf nameplate.