Agreed, it was a good read and all information is great whilst passing the time waiting for delivery!
I am new to VW and was wondering what the actual differences are between the TCR and Clubsport S. I know its got the back seats removed and has more bhp (maybe down to emissions than anything else). But beyond this what are the technical differences? Not expecting to have purchases a CS, but be interested to know
I’d suggest looking out the EVO review that Dan Prosser did on the CSS, it’s online and free. It sums up my view of the car word for word. Comparison to the TCR too early for me to comment on as I am still running in but it’s DSG versus manual and not a stripped out special edition.
Might be of interest to know how and why I came to own a CSS because I think a lot of people buy the GTI as a practical driver’s car and the CSS does and doesn’t tick that box.
I bought a Porsche Macan GTS last year as a daily driver. Spec’d it from factory and added all the driver focused options. It sounded fabulous but felt big and cumbersome but for an SUV, handled in a physics defying way. It also had a thirst and carrying around all that mass was returning 20MPG. After 3,500 miles and about 4 months, I got rid of it and it cemented my view that it was a Porsche in badge alone. I will never go near a SUV again.
My wife told me to get something sensible like a Golf. So I bought a Clubsport S. It’s a Golf right?
I joke but the CSS is not impractical and the TCR even more so with back seats and a working boot. We don’t have children and the dog rides in a basket in the boot if I want to take him out in the CSS. The space in the boot being entirely stripped out makes for an excellent dog bed holder and I bought one which fits where the space saver goes on a regular car. I am in two minds about asking someone in our village who does sewing and upholstery to strip the dog bed and cover it in Clark Plaid (GTI tartan pattern) for a bit of fun.
The thing that stands out about the CSS is the chassis and handling. It’s every bit as brilliant as every noted car journalist has ever said and I would pick it over just about any other car for a B road blast. The chassis engineer drafted in on the CSS project did the Porsche 911 997 GT3 RS and the 4.0 is seen as one of the best driver’s cars Porsche or any manufacturer have ever built.
The CSS is hugely composed over rough road aka most of Britain’s road network but it turns in so well and feels much much quicker than acceleration figures on paper suggest. Modern cars are bloated and feel big but the CSS is neutral and feels like a go kart crossed with a Jack Russell. Eager, quick and darts about. The exhaust is also very entertaining and a welcome antidote to sound actuators that so many modern cars have to make them sound sportier.
I have friends who are also petrol heads and they have some very special cars by any measure and a couple have a CSS in their collections. They agree with my view in that they’re keepers and are utterly brilliant drives.