33 Years of GTI Development: GTI Pirelli and GTI Clubsport Meet at Portimão

Iconic cars united at the circuit in Portimão: Golf GTI Pirelli and Golf GTI Clubsport

Two legends meet each other for the first time. Both are anniversary models, furnished with the three magical letters GTI – the synonym for sportiness and dynamic handling at Volkswagen – and with “a touch more GTI” on board.
But that’s then it already with things they have in common: for while the first anniversary model, the Golf GTI Pirelli, came onto the market in 1983 with 112 PS, the latest anniversary model, the Golf GTI Clubsport, has a much more powerful engine, delivering 265 PS.

Portimão, a race circuit in southern Portugal is the perfect place in the autumn to compare and contrast the two protagonists. With its 1.8-litre engine the Pirelli Golf represented cutting-edge engineering in 1983 and shortly before production of the Golf Mk1 GTI ended rolled off the line as a limited edition special series. The Golf GTI Clubsport is its counterpart.

Volkswagen is bringing out this treat for GTI fans to coincide with the 40th birthday of the Golf GTI next year. In normal mode the 265 PS 2.0-litre TSI engine develops an impressive 350 Newton metres of torque. However, the special feature of the latest anniversary model is the temporary boost function, which enables 290 PS and 380 Newton metres of torque to be delivered for up to ten seconds. This extra power is accessed by kicking down on the throttle. The result is acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, which makes it the most powerful full-production GTI of all time.

The version with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG) is additionally equipped with ‘Launch Control’, which – in similar fashion to motorsport – accelerates the car away from a standing start with maximum power in a controlled manner.

Volkswagen has not only made the Clubsport’s turbo engine more powerful, but has also perfectly adapted the car’s design, aerodynamics and trim. Motorsport-style downforce levels are provided by a new front bumper, a striking rear spoiler and a diffuser. Semi-slicks, approved for use on the road, are being offered by Volkswagen as an option. Nor are the ergonomics overlooked: available for the Golf GTI Clubsport are either standard sports bucket seats or classic GTI sports seats. Volkswagen is also selling the new model with two-tone paintwork as standard.

The Golf GTI Clubsport and the Golf GTI Pirelli are not the only GTI special series ever produced. On the car’s 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th birthdays Volkswagen also dedicated an anniversary model to the GTI icon of the time. The Golf GTI Clubsport will set pulses racing – and for some time to come will set new standards as well…

The post 33 Years of GTI Development: GTI Pirelli and GTI Clubsport Meet at Portimão appeared first on VWVortex.

from VWVortex http://ift.tt/1leZuh0
via IFTTT

Review: Saying Goodbye to the CC V6

For all its size and its global reach, Volkswagen is still, in many ways, a deeply human company. There was, for instance, the Bugatti Veyron an ego project if ever there was one. Then the purchase of Ducati, a move most called folly. And then there was the Phaeton, the Volkswagen that most folks can’t afford. Not only were these moves all strange, I’m sure that they made VW’s accountants furious. None of them made good business sense, but they were all deeply interesting and they all are evidence of the heart that beats at the center of VW. Among these follies is the CC, a car that everyone agrees is rakishly handsome, but that no one really wanted to buy. The car couldn’t last, but the world is brighter for its having been in it. With the approach debut of the Arteon, it seems like a good time to look back on its sadly departing predecessor. The version I drove, because I live in Canada, is a V6 Wolfsburg Edition, which apparently isn’t available in the States. Nor is the V6, not as

Waterfest Moves to Atco Dragway

Waterfest 24 will be held at Atco Dragway, in Atco, New Jersey. The summer event will take place at its new venue on July 21 and 22. Long held in Englishtown, New Jersey, the festival has been such a large part of the VW scene that the latest iteration of the Golf even comes with optional “Englishtown” wheels . The new venue, however, is an NHRA drag track a scant 52 miles southwest of Englishtown. The ¼ mile drag track opened in 1960, which makes it the oldest drag strip in New Jersey. The announcement came today on a social media post that announced the new location. Waterfest is North America’s largest VW/Audi show. As many 20,000 people show up for the annual show, making the second largest show in the world—with Worthersee being number one. 2018 will be Waterfest’s 24 th year in existence. The post Waterfest Moves to Atco Dragway appeared first on VWVortex . from VWVortex http://ift.tt/2GQjkuc via IFTTT

Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan

Filed under: Government/Legal , Green , Mitsubishi , Fuel Efficiency , Japan Mitsubishi says its shady fuel-economy test practices may have been used on all vehicles it sells and has sold in Japan. Continue reading Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 May 2016 12:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments from Autoblog Volkswagen http://ift.tt/21X3bHv

Vorderman Volkswagen

Search This Blog