Volkswagen Dominates the Nürburgring

The competition to determine who’s the fastest on the Nürburgring rages on: Volkswagen just announced they reclaimed the title of the "who’s-the-fastest-FWD-sports-car-automaker" feud from rival Honda. Previously, the Japanese manufacturer accomplished a track lap of 7 minutes, 50 seconds and 63 hundredths with the last generation of the Civic Type R.

To reclaim the title, Volkswagen increased the power of their hot hatch. They took a regular, 220-hp GTI and upped the ante with 306 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, creating the GTI Clubsport S. The added grunt comes from a less restrictive exhaust, tweaks of the engine management system and an increase in turbo pressure.

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The transmission of choice is a six-speed manual. Why did Volkswagen choose to use this instead of the DSG? They wished to keep weight to a minimum; this also explains why the three-door variant of the GTI was used.

So, with an overall time of 7 minutes, 49 seconds and 21 hundredths, the VW GTI Clubsport S is the fastest production FWD car on the Green Hell… At least until Renault, Honda or someone else rolls out a faster hot hatchback.