We review the Golf GTI Clubsport 40 from price to economy and all its features
He could pick any car, but Clarkson loves his VS GTi
IF you ever needed convincing Jeremy Clarkson knows his cars, here’s all the proof you need – he drives a Golf GTI.
Yep, Jezza. The man who has signed a deal with Amazon for gazillions, the chap who more or less invented Top Gear, a guy with 6.5million Twitter followers.
Let’s face it, there isn’t a car in the world he can’t afford. But he drives a car worth £27,000, simply because it is a fantastic motor.
If something works perfectly, I don’t believe in fixing it
As he said when my colleague Rob Gill and I interviewed him (starting in the paper today): “If something works perfectly, I don’t believe in fixing it.”
You have to admire that coming from one of the most well-known motoring journalists in the world.
But some cars are just so exclusive, even Clarkson might struggle to buy it. And this is one of them.
You’re looking at the Golf GTI Clubsport 40. Only 1,000 are in the UK and most have already gone to loving homes but, if you’re quick, you can still bag one.
Key Facts
- Price: £30,935
- Engine: 2-litre turbo
- Economy: 40.4mpg
- C02: 162g/km
- 0-62: 6.3 seconds
- Top speed: 155mph
- Length: 4.2 meters
When I turned up to the interview with Clarkson in VW’s own Clubsport 40 — number two out of the 1,000 made — naturally he took an interest.
He said: “I drove that exact car on the way to filming the Whitby leg of the Grand Tour. It’s absolutely phenomenal.”
It’s absolutely phenomenal
As a committed fan and owner of the standard GTI, his enthusiasm comes as no surprise. But let me assure you, it isn’t misplaced.
The Clubsport 40 was released to commemorate four decades since the release of the original Golf GTI, a car of legendary status. Every five years VW makes a special edition to . . . well, to make a load of money, as well as remind us it invented the hot hatch era way back when flares were still in fashion.
It is not to be confused with the Golf GTI Clubsport S, another special edition released this year on an even more limited run.
Only 150 came to the UK and every one sold quicker than the car’s Nurburgring lap time — which, by the way, is the fastest front wheel drive time ever at seven minutes 49.21 seconds.
That fire-breathing hyper-hatch produces 306bhp, making it the most powerful Golf ever and even spicier than the production model Golf R. The Clubsport 40 knocks out 261bhp, more manageable on a day-to-day basis.
But included is a “throttle overboost” that dollops on an extra 25bhp for ten seconds at a time.
So what else do you get for your £30,935?
Around town the Clubsport purrs sweetly and feels comfortable at slow speeds. But once in Sport Mode it is noticeably racier than the standard GTI, with a unique suspension setup which makes it feel as planted as any hyper-hatch.
Small styling tweaks will set you apart from standard GTI owners, too. It is a lovely looking car, both inside and out. The Clubsport is the perfect in-between for those looking for more than a GTI, but not the full-fat Golf R.
It’s just a shame you already can’t buy it from new.
Oh, and there’s something else even Clarkson with all his fame can’t pull off — getting out of a parking ticket. As we left the pub there was a traffic warden, above, slapping a ticket on the Clubsport. When I pretended it was Jezza’s car, he laughed and said: “I thought you’d be driving something more expensive.”
If something’s perfect, what’s the point in fixing it?