Red-hot hatch heralds 40 years of Golf GTI

The car that defined the hot hatch scene, the Golf GTI, is 40 years old this year.

And to mark the occasion, Volkswagen has created the most potent version of the GTI to date.

It comes in the shape of the Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 – celebrating four decades of the fiery hatchback.

Beneath the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 265PS, which makes it the most powerful Golf GTI yet.

As an added bonus you can floor the throttle in third gear or higher and, for up to 10 seconds, an overboost function boosts the engine power to a whopping 290PS.

The engine is based on the 1,984cc TSI unit that appears in the Golf R but with refinements like a water-cooled exhaust channel to the turbocharger and variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment.

Power is channelled to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed DSG twin clutch transmission, the latter getting launch control as standard.

Top speed is limited to 155mph and the 0-62 mph time for both three and five-door versions – either manual or DSG – is 6.3 seconds.

CO2 emissions range between 158g/km and 162g/km depending on body style and transmission choice, while combined fuel economy is between 40.9 and 40.4mpg.

As is the case with all Golf GTIs, the new Clubsport Edition 40 is equipped with a sport chassis with 15mm lower ride height as standard.

And the car is shod with 18-inch forged alloy wheels and 225/40 tyres, though 19-inchers are an option.

UK numbers are limited to 1,000 cars with first deliveries due in the summer and prices are from £30,875.