Extra-hot electric Volkswagen GTI Clubsport models are on their way
We already know the iconic GTI name will continue with electric power, starting with the upcoming supermini-sized ID.2 GTI. Speaking to Auto Express, the head of Volkswagen Design, Andreas Mindt, told us an ID.2 GTI Clubsport would be 'something for enthusiasts to get excited about' and said Volkswagen is 'looking for this in the plan', before slightly dampening our spirits by admitting that the car is still 'not confirmed'.
A Clubsport edition was first seen on the Mk7 Golf back in 2015, based on the GTI but with more power and track-focused tweaks - which were then honed further with the even more powerful Clubsport S. A Clubsport version of the current Mk8 GTI came out in 2021, although more recently we've seen perhaps a more fitting successor, in the form of the most powerful Golf GTI yet - the 320bhp Edition 50.
We expect electric GTI Clubsports to have the same brief as the petrol-powered cars, and the most likely EV to spawn a Clubsport is the upcoming ID.2 GTI. This will have around 220bhp from a front-mounted electric motor and a modified version of the current Golf GTI's electronic differential. Mindt further emphasised the need for this layout, saying: 'Clubsport front-wheel drive is special with enthusiasts.'
More power for a Clubsport variant could take it closer to the likes of the Abarth 600e and Alfa Romeo Junior EVs, both of which push 278bhp to their front wheels. We're yet to see the covers come off the standard ID.2, let alone the GTI or Clubsport variants, although larger wheels, more aggressive aerodynamics and subtle GTI design cues will surely make an appearance.
Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals…
Find a car with the experts New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand's hot-SUV onslaught
Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging Marcos is back! British sportscar brand's big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand's big plan, and swirling controversy
Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date
New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: latest details and confirmed reveal date
The upcoming, all-electric Volvo XC60 alternative is designed to 'keep learning and evolve with time'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Charles Leclerc stuns McLaren with shock pole position for Ferrari in Hungary
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took a surprise pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix – as team-mate Lewis Hamilton could manage only 12th. Championship leader Oscar Piastri and title rival Lando Norris had been expected to fight for pole but the McLaren men were left to settle for second and third respectively. Leclerc saw off Piastri by just 0.026 seconds with Norris only 0.015 sec behind the Australian. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes. McLaren had dominated all weekend at the Hungaroring with Norris fastest in both sessions on Friday, and Piastri – who leads his team-mate by 16 points in the world championship – quickest in the concluding running prior to qualifying. But Leclerc pulled a mighty lap out of the bag to secure both his and Ferrari's first pole of the season. The Monegasque said: 'Today, I don't understand anything in Formula One. Honestly, the whole qualifying was extremely difficult. When I say extremely difficult, it's not exaggerating. 'It was difficult for us to get to Q2, it was difficult for us to get to Q3. In Q3, the conditions changed a little bit. Everything became a lot trickier, and I knew I just had to do a clean lap to target third. 'At the end of the day, it's pole position. I definitely did not expect that. Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure.' In the other scarlet car, Hamilton has a record eight wins and nine pole positions in Hungary. However, a week after he qualified only 16th at Spa-Francorchamps, he suffered another setback when he was knocked out of Q2. Hamilton has now been outqualified by Leclerc at 10 of the 14 rounds so far. TOP-10 - HUNGARY GP QUALIFYING 'Every time, every time,' said the British driver after he was informed of his early exit. Hamilton emerged from his cockpit and walked towards the Ferrari motorhome holding his gloves in front of his visor to obstruct the full glare of the waiting TV cameras. Hamilton's lowly grid slot looks set to extend his run without a podium finish to 14 races. Until this season he had never gone more than 10 races into a campaign without finishing in the top three. Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes, the teenager Kimi Antonelli, has only scored once in his last seven appearances and he too failed to make it out of Q2, qualifying 15th. Aston Martin have been woefully out of sorts this year and are eighth in the constructors' standings. Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll failed to make it out of Q1 at the previous round. However, Alonso – who turned 44 earlier this week – and Stroll progressed to the final phase on Saturday, and will start fifth and sixth respectively. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen qualified eighth for Red Bull. Alex Albon has enjoyed a strong season – he finished sixth last weekend – but he will line up from the back of the pack here after qualifying 20th and last. Yuki Tsunoda was also eliminated in Q1 for the fifth time this season, leaving him 16th on the grid.
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lewis Hamilton: I'm absolutely useless and Ferrari need a new driver
Lewis Hamilton said he is 'absolutely useless' and claimed Ferrari need to replace him after he qualified 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix – as team-mate Charles Leclerc took pole position. Outside of a sprint win at the second round in China, Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari has failed to live up to its blockbuster billing and his debut season in red took another sorry twist when he was knocked out of Q2 at the Hungaroring. The 40-year-old has a record eight wins and nine pole positions here. However, a week after he qualified only 16th at Spa-Francorchamps, he suffered another setback. Hamilton has now been out-qualified by Leclerc at 10 of the 14 rounds so far and trails his team-mate by 30 points in the standings. And, in an astonishing admission in the moments after qualifying, Hamilton told Sky Sports: 'It's me every time. 'I'm useless, absolutely useless. The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole. So we probably need to change driver.' After he failed to progress to Q3, Hamilton emerged from his cockpit and walked towards the Ferrari motorhome holding his gloves in front of his visor to obstruct the full glare of the waiting TV cameras. Hamilton's lowly grid slot looks set to extend his run without a podium finish to 14 races. Until this season he had never gone more than 10 rounds into a campaign without finishing in the top three. Championship leader Oscar Piastri and title rival Lando Norris had been expected to fight for pole, but the McLaren men were left to settle for second and third respectively. Leclerc saw off Piastri by just 0.026 seconds, with Norris only 0.015secs behind the Australian. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes. Leclerc said: 'Today I don't understand anything in Formula One. Honestly, the whole qualifying was extremely difficult. When I say extremely difficult, it's not exaggerating. 'It was difficult for us to get to Q2, it was difficult for us to get to Q3. In Q3, the conditions changed a little bit. Everything became a lot trickier and I knew I just had to do a clean lap to target third. 'At the end of the day, it's pole position. I definitely did not expect that. Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure.'
The Guardian
14 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘I'm absolutely useless': Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari should replace him after qualifying 12th
Lewis Hamilton said he is 'absolutely useless' and claimed Ferrari need to replace him after he qualified 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix - as team-mate Charles Leclerc took pole position. Outside of a sprint win at the second round in China, Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari has failed to live up to its blockbuster billing and his debut season in red took another sorry twist when he was knocked out of Q2 at the Hungaroring. The 40-year-old has a record eight wins and nine pole positions at the track. However, a week after he qualified only 16th at Spa-Francorchamps, he suffered another setback. Hamilton has now been out-qualified by Leclerc at 10 of the 14 rounds so far and trails his team-mate by 30 points in the standings. And, in an astonishing admission in the moments after qualifying, Hamilton told Sky Sports: 'It's me every time. I'm useless, absolutely useless. The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole. So we probably need to change driver.' After he failed to progress to Q3, Hamilton emerged from his cockpit and walked towards the Ferrari motorhome holding his gloves in front of his visor to obstruct the full glare of the waiting TV cameras. Hamilton's lowly grid slot looks set to extend his run without a podium finish to 14 races. Until this season he had never gone more than 10 rounds into a campaign without finishing in the top three. Championship leader Oscar Piastri and title rival Lando Norris had been expected to fight for pole, but the McLaren men were left to settle for second and third respectively. Leclerc saw off Piastri by just 0.026 seconds, with Norris only 0.015secs behind the Australian. George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes. Leclerc said: 'Today I don't understand anything in Formula One. Honestly, the whole qualifying was extremely difficult. When I say extremely difficult, it's not exaggerating. It was difficult for us to get to Q2, it was difficult for us to get to Q3. In Q3, the conditions changed a little bit. Everything became a lot trickier and I knew I just had to do a clean lap to target third. 'At the end of the day, it's pole position. I definitely did not expect that. Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions I've ever had. It's the most unexpected, for sure.'
