At the back, the Clubsport sports revised 3D-effect taillights and a reworked diffuser with black detailing, plus twin pipes that can be upgraded to an Akrapovic sports exhaust as part of the Race package.
Volkswagen has also extended the choice of wheels for the top-of-the-line GTI: alongside the standard 1-in Richmond design, there are now optional 19in Queenstown and Warmenau wheels, the latter being made from forged aluminium and said to weigh just 8kg each.
Inside, the Clubsport features premium sports seats trimmed in ArtVelour microfibre as standard but optionally available in leather. The cabin can be further differentiated with optional carbonfibre trim details.
The new model also receives the latest Golf’s revised dashboard, which hosts a new 12.9in touchscreen infotainment display and a 10.2in digital instrument display running on the latest version of VW’s MIB operating system.
MIB was first introduced on the electric-powered ID.7 saloon, and the fourth generation system brings altered menu structures, faster processing speeds and higher resolution graphics.
It also adds Volkswagen’s new IDA voice assistant, powered by ChatGPT, to control functions such as the infotainment, sat-nav and air conditioning via a more ‘conversational’ style of voice commands than before.
The interior revamp also means the Clubsport does away with the steering wheel’s much-criticised touch-sensitive buttons for more conventional switches and buttons, and the climate control slider now lights up so it’s easier to use at night.