The eighth rendition of the Volkswagen Golf GTI has been an incredibly popular and well-received update to the model, with the Clubsport variant sporting a refreshed, 296bhp, 2-litre, 4-cylinder engine. The looks have also been totally overhauled in both the interior and exterior, particularly with the Edition 45, which celebrates 45 years of VW’s GTI models. The exterior is now more aggressive and modern looking with a new light bar running across the front and larger front grills. At the rear, there is a larger spoiler along with Akrapovic exhaust tips.

The GTI is renowned for being a fun, yet practical and reliable hot-hatch, with healthy performance figures and enough space to fit the family and maybe a dog or two. The Clubsport 45 is no exception to this rule and with the updated, more aggressive looks, it certainly looks the part on the road. 0-62 times are quoted at 5.6 seconds, and as standard the 155mph limiter has been increased for the Clubsport models, allowing drivers to reach 166mph - all impressive figures considering its practicality and comfort.

The Clubsport 45 also sports firmer suspension, reducing body-roll and improving handling for those spirited Sunday drives. The optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) provides the driver with a choice of stiffness to the suspension. This means that when you’re not channeling your inner Schumacher and want a smoother, more sophisticated ride, the adaptive dampers will allow just that.