45 Years Of The Volkswagen Golf GTI Celebrated With The Clubsport 45

• The beloved VW Golf GTI was launched back in 1976.

• Its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine will produce 300 PS, or 296 horsepower.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the stuff of automotive legend. For most, it’s right up there with the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, and Nissan Skyline as having marked performance automotive history with its own brand of speed. To celebrate 45 years of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen introduces the Clubsport 45.

Already, the VW Golf GTI Clubsport is quite the overachiever thanks to its 300 PS turbocharged TSI 4-cylinder engine. Visually, it includes larger front air intakes, a unique roof-mounted spoiler, and a sport exhaust system. Also featured are a Track driving mode and a front locking differential. There have been other Clubsport editions of the GTI in the past and sadly, none have ever made their way to North America.

The Clubsport 45 is even more distinctive thanks to a black roof and spoiler, black-framed rear window (like the MK1), and is fitted with the Race Package. The latter includes black 19-inch Scottsdale alloy wheels with a narrow accent pinstripe in Tornado Red, a sport exhaust system, and removal of the Vmax limiter (otherwise top speed is limited to 250 km/h). Obviously, the “45” decals are also part of the edition. The cabin too receives a few accents such as “GTI” lettering on the backrests of the front seats and “45” on the center spoke of the steering wheel.

Sadly once more, there’s little to no hope the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport or Clubsport 45 will ever cross the Pond.