Launched in January 2016, the GTi Clubsport arrived just in time to celebrate the GTi’s 40th birthday.

It is  significantly more powerful than the standard GTi, with 261bhp out doing even the performance pack GTi- which has a decent 227bhp. This leads to it arriving at 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds, a whole half second quicker than the standard. The impressive part though, is the boost function which lets out an extra 10% of secret power.

The bodykit, which is made up of an all-new front bumper and side sills, redesigned rear diffuser and an striking rear roof spoiler, creates downforce on both axles where in the standard GTi there was lift.

The clubsport, as with all GTi’s, is kitted out with electric front diff lock and mechanical variable. As well as the rear springs and dampers being retuned for the extra power.

‘You just keep going faster and faster, trying to get into that zone where the threat of understeer forces the front diff to start modulating power away from the inner wheel to increase cornering speeds. And when you get there, when you’re at the point where a little wheelspin, a decisive throttle correction and a twitch of steering input ought to finally beckon, the chassis sorts it all out, leaving you with not much to do but hang on.’  Car Magazine said, when asked to comment on how the Clubsport does on the track. ‘Like all the best birthday presents the Golf Clubsport is a luxury – something you didn’t need but part of you always secretly wanted.’