Watch the VW GTI Clubsport S fly around the Nürburgring

Volkswagen says the GTI Clubsport S set a new front-wheel drive production car lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The 305-horsepower Clubsport S circled the 20.8-kilometre track in 7:49:21 seconds, according to VW, besting the Honda Civic Type R by 1.42 seconds.

That time puts the hot hatch in impressive company, with the Chevrolet C6 Corvette Z06 and BMW E92 M3 GTS turning in similar laps.

Unlike those V8-powered machines, though, the Clubsport S is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 305 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque.

And unlike the Volkswagen Golf R, which puts its 292 horsepower to all four wheels, this Clubsport S puts all its power down to the front wheels in true GTI form.

It's also light, tipping the scales at roughly 2,800 lbs.

That weight was achieved after the rear seats were removed and a smaller battery was installed, among other things, was installed, according to Volkswagen.

Now for the bad news: Only 400 will be sold globally, and not one of them is slated to make it to North America.