Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 45 priced from £39,980 – more than a Golf R

The Golf GTI Clubsport 45 features aesthetic tweaks to celebrate 45 years since the icon first hit the road

It’s been 45 years since the Volkswagen Golf GTI debuted back in 1976 so to mark the occasion Volkswagen has unveiled the Clubsport 45 special edition. Based on the existing GTI Clubsport, the new limited edition is available to order now with prices starting from £39,980, a £2750 hike over an ordinary Clubsport and £685 more than the range-topping R.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Clubsport 45 features a number of unique features including a gloss black rear spoiler matching the black roof and wing mirrors, ‘45’ edition decals along each side and a bespoke set of 19-inch ‘Scottsdale’ wheels in black with a stripe around the rim.

> The Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is an electric GTI, sort of...

UK-specification models also include a standard-fit Akropovic exhaust, plus the removal of the electronic speed limiter – Volkswagen hasn’t disclosed its new top speed, however 155mph is quoted for the standard car. Aside from these elements the styling and technical package is consistent with the standard Clubsport, slipping between the standard GTI and new Golf R.

As such, powering the Clubsport 45 is the 296bhp version of the ‘evo4’ EA888 2-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a standard-fit seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and  mechanical locking differential on the front axle. Adaptive dampers are still not standard on the 45, but are optional, and from our experience well worth the upgrade. Performance is unchanged from the standard Clubsport, with a quoted sub-6sec 0-62mph time. 

While the Clubsport 45 is unlikely to reach the heights of the previous Clubsport S that celebrated the big 40, the Mk8 Golf will still be in production when its 50th comes around, and given emissions laws currently being imposed towards the latter half of this decade, has us hoping for one final hurrah for GTI that equates to more than some stickers and a set of black wheels. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5 2025 review – a cut-price Honda Civic Type R?
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5
Reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5 2025 review – a cut-price Honda Civic Type R?

The Golf GTI Clubsport lifts the Mk8.5 GTI to a higher level, but it’s still not quite a match for the best in class
4 Jul 2025
VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
New VW Golf GTI Clubsport S is coming to take on the Honda Civic Type R
Volkswagen Golf GTI GTI Clubsport S
News

New VW Golf GTI Clubsport S is coming to take on the Honda Civic Type R

VW will celebrate 50 years of the Golf GTI at the N24, with the reveal of a very special model
21 Mar 2025
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S (2016, Mk7): an ultra-exclusive hot hatch great
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S
Reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S (2016, Mk7): an ultra-exclusive hot hatch great

The Mk7 GTI Clubsport S is the understated ultimate Volkswagen Golf that excels on both the road and track
13 Aug 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement
Ferrari Amalfi front
News

New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement

The Ferrari Amalfi picks up where the Roma left off, as a more capable, debugged super GT that’s finally brought back buttons
1 Jul 2025
Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025