Report: Is Volkswagen Planning a GTI Clubsport Lightweight?

As Volkswagen builds back its relationship with the public, the German automaker is looking to improve its goodwill with the enthusiasts that make up its most vocal supporters. We not only spied the special Golf R420 testing in Germany, but now we're hearing rumors that Volkswagen is taking its already hugely impressive Golf GTI Clubsport and developing it into a Lightweight model.

According to AutoCar, the Golf GTI Clubsport Lightweight will be in a similar vein as Porsche's GT3 RS, a stripped-out, road-legal racecar that builds on the already brilliant chassis and engine Volkswagen developed for the Mk VII Golf. Essentially, the Golf GTI Clubsport Lightweight would give enthusiasts an avenue to immediately take their cars to a local track days or autocross.

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In addition to a lightweight chassis and a stripped-out interior, it's said that the Golf GTI Clubsport Lightweight will run a retuned 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine coupled to either Volkswagen's brilliant dual-clutch transmission, or a standard six-speed manual. Power is reportedly boosted by 20 horsepower to give the Golf GTI Clubsport Lightweight a total of 296 horsepower, which is still sent to car's front wheels.

We tested the current Golf GTI Clubsport and found that "In contrast to the composed, competent, and grown-up Golf R, the Clubsport is a bag full of hornets, a pool full of sharks, a terrarium full of black widows." In short, it's an animal, and by decreasing the weight, that nature is sure to become absolutely abominable in the best way possible.

If it gets the green light, the Golf GTI Clubsport Lightweight will likely only see a production run of under 100 units, and is expected to debut at Volkswagen's Wörthersee enthusiast meet this May.

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