It might be hard to believe, but it’s been 40 years since a group of German engineers, managers, and enthusiasts met in a room and created the Golf GTI – one of the hottest hatchbacks to ever grace the roads we drive on. Since 2001, VW has launched an anniversary model of the Golf GTI every five years to commemorate the amazing hatch, and this year it’s launching the Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 – a special hatch with a few bespoke features, a mild power upgrade, and a special feature to give you a little extra pep in your step when you need just a little extra juice.

The Clubsport 40 should come as big news for those who were hoping to get their hands on the Golf GTI Clubsport S that was produced in just 150 examples in the U.K. This model is being produced in 1,000 examples, so there a bigger chance you’ll get one. And with that extra bump of juice, it comes pretty close to the 306-horsepower output of the Clubsport S. We haven’t had a chance to get our hands on one of these special-edition models yet, but word is that performance is right on point, and there’s more than just a special-edition badge to set this baby apart from the crowd.

With that said, let’s dive on in and take a good look at this special edition model before all iterations of it are snatched off of the market as well.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40.

What makes the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 special

VW had very little to say about the subtle differences that come along with this special-edition GTI, but with a trained eye, you can spot them from a mile away. Again, it’s not much, but it’s enough to make it stand out in the crowd. To start, VW gave the Clubsport 40 a new fascia that is deeper than that of the standard GTI and has larger air intakes. Behind the air intakes you’ll find air channels that send plenty of air to the brakes for optimal cooling during extreme maneuvers. To the rear, there’s an extended roof spoiler that will help create just a hint of extra downforce, and down below there’s a new diffuser that serves the same purpose. Finally, there’s a pair of 18-inch alloy wheels that are lighter than those on the standard GTI and “Clubsport” decals mounted on the front fenders to emphasize that this hatch isn’t your standard GTI.

Inside, there isn’t a whole lot to write home about, but you will find a flatbottom steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara and held together by red stitching. There’s also a red stripe at 12 O’clock and a “GTI” emblem between the two legs of the lower spoke. If you don’t select the right option, you’ll get standard seats from the Golf GTI Clubsport. But, those outlets that have managed to get their hands on tester models have found that the £1,350 optional buckets that are partially wrapped in Alcantara offer superior side a shoulder support. But, in selecting these you’ll find that entry to the rear on three-door models is more difficult as the seats don’t fold forward easily, and you’ll also lose the Pre-Crash occupant protection system. Other niceties include a leather trimmed shifter knob, GTI lettering on the door sills, and a special plaque:

The real asset of this special-edition model, however, is what lurks under its short hood. VW took the EA888, 2.0-liter four-banger and massaged it to deliver 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. But, there’s also an overboost function that up the horsepower to 286 horsepower for up to 10 seconds under full throttle. It’s also said to have a bespoke suspension system for better handling and if you look closely, you can see the upgraded brake calipers finished in bright red with GTI letting. All told, the Clubsport 40 can hit 62 mph in 6.3 seconds with the DSG transmission and can hit 155 mph before the electronic speed limited kicks in. And, in doing all this, it still manages to attain 40.4 mpg and a CO2 output of 160g per kilometer.

But, the real question that remains is how does the Clubsport 40 actually drive, and is it worth the investment? Well, AutoExpress managed to get their hands on one and, in their review, said, “Unsurprisingly, it feels considerably faster than the standard GTI when you push it. It has the same torque output as that car, so doesn’t feel much quicker at the lower ends of the rev range, but above 4,500rpm the Clubsport pulls with impressively strong vigour right to the redline. The DSG gearbox fires through the ratios as rapidly as it always has, too.”

Whatcar has also played around with one of the special editions, and was fairly impressed with it, but not for the price. When speaking of whether or not you should buy one, they said, “No, unless you love the idea of owning a limited run GTI that may, perhaps, hold some future cachet for collectors. It has more performance and feels slightly more agile to drive than the standard GTI, but these things aren’t enough to justify that sizeable price hike. If you're willing to spend around £30,000 on a hot Golf, then the Golf R is a much better buy; it’s faster, easier to drive quickly and more comfortable. However, if you want the ultimate performance hot hatch for Clubsport money, then buy the marvellous Focus RS instead.”

Speaking of price, the Clubsport Edition 40 is priced at £30,875 in the U.K., which computes to about $37,759 as of December of 2016. To put that into perspective, the Golf GTD starts runs anywhere between £26,995 and £29,390, While the GTI runs between £27,495 and £29,930, and the Golf R runs between £31,685 and £33,755 as of December 21, 2016. Pricing varies based upon final configuration, but it should be noted that the R comes with 295 horsepower on tap at all times, without the need for an overboost function limited to 10 seconds. With that said, it looks like the Clubsport 40 really is for those who humor the idea of having a special-edition model in the garage, but hey – to each their own, right?