Here’s the fastest VW GTI Golf ever – the 286hp TCR road version

Have you been thinking of getting yourself a hardcore Volkswagen Golf GTI? Well, if you have, you might want to hear this first - the track-only TCR version is going to receive a road-legal equivalent in the near future. Watch out for the Golf GTI TCR as it makes its debut on May 9 during the annual GTI meeting, which will be held at Worthersee. Without a surprise, this will be billed as a special edition model. Therefore, there is a good chance it will end up being a limited run hot hatch.

Right now, the only part of the car we could really see would be a section of the car’s rear end, and it is only through an appealing digital sketch that shows off the aggressive fins of the diffuser flanked by a pair of huge exhaust tips. By the looks of it, it seems like the Golf GTI TCR has full LED taillights and it rides on what seems like a set of 18 inch wheels.

Under the hood, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0 liter gasoline engine dialed to carry out as much as 286 horsepower (213 kilowatts) from 6,800 rpm as well as a peak torque of 273 pound feet (370 Newton metres) that starts from 1,600 rpm. This engine will be paired to a seven speed dual clutch automatic gearbox offered as standard equipment, together with the front axle differential lock. Just to remind you, the track ready model is still a lot more powerful with 345 horsepower and 310 pound feet (420 Nm) of torque.

As standard, VW will install an electronic speed limiter programmed to max out at only 155 miles per hour (250 kph), but this can be further unlocked to a maximum velocity of 164 miles per hour (264 kilometers per hour) if you ask them nicely. The latter is actually the fastest Golf GTI ever made, eclipsing the even more powerful Clubsport S by 2 mph, which was also unveiled at the Worthersee show a few years ago.

The road ready Golf GTI TCR version is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of the year, and this will continue the successful Golf GTI story that began way back in 1976 with the original model. Overall, the company has sold 2.2 million units since its first release.

Simply put, the Golf GTI TCR has a remarkable performance as it can deliver 213 kilowatts (290 PS) while offering just the right traction, thanks to the front axle locking differential. It was also designed to be the road-going version of the more powerful race series Golf GTI. The TCR variant could easily be the fastest Golf GTI when the limiter is removed.

PRESS RELEASE

RACING-INSPIRED GOLF GTI TCR CONCEPT DEBUTS AT WÖRTHERSEE FESTIVAL

At this year’s GTI Meeting at Wörthersee from May 9-12, Volkswagen will present a new milestone in the history of the cult compact car: the Golf GTI TCR Concept, which has a top speed of 164 mph and is almost ready for production. The special edition is a roadgoing version of the racing car with the same name.

Unveiling the GTI TCR concept, Jürgen Stackmann, Sales, Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, said: “At the moment, the Golf GTI TCR Concept – an athlete derived from racing – is a study. But at the end of the year, we want to make this GTI vision come true.”

The new top GTI is a compelling expression of design, power and performance. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine of the new Golf GTI TCR delivers 290 PS/286 horsepower, with maximum torque of 273 pound-feet produced from 1,600 rpm. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a standard 7-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The factory-set maximum speed is 155 mph, but this can be increased to 164 mph by opting to remove the electronic top-speed limiter.

Numerous individual features add to the Golf GTI TCR’s sporty character. The new top Golf GTI model has 18-inch “Belvedere” forged aluminum-alloy wheels as standard, with newly designed 19-inch alloys as an option. Lurking behind the large aluminum-alloy wheels are perforated brake discs together with special calipers and pads that are designed to slow the production vehicle just as effortlessly as the race car.

If desired, particularly enthusiastic drivers can order a package that pushes the performance of the Golf GTI TCR even higher: In addition to removing the speed limiter and the availability of 19-inch wheels, it includes a sports chassis setting and DCC® adaptive damping. It allows the electronically adjustable dampers to be adjusted at the touch of a button and provides the option to choose between sporty, comfort or normal chassis settings.

Externally, the most powerful GTI yet has a new front bumper that feeds air into the vehicle’s two additional radiators and also features a sharply contoured front splitter. A new side skirt extension is continued through the rear of the car, joining the distinctively designed diffuser and the integrated exhaust tailpipes. TCR lettering above the side skirts is also featured, along with optional GTI-style honeycomb trim for the side of the vehicle.

Inside, the sport seats have unique microfiber and fabric covers, with a red central motif that is repeated with the contrast stitching on the steering wheel and shifter. When the doors are opened, the TCR logo is projected on to the ground and the stainless steel rocker trim has a red illuminated element.