Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR comes to life as orders now being accepted

German carmaker Volkswagen is now making the latest evolution of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI -- the new Golf GTI TCR. First unveiled as a concept at the annual GTI meeting in Worthersee, Austria, the new Golf GTI TCR is touted to be the most hardcore, most powerful and the fastest Golf GTI ever. Interested customers in Germany can now order the new Golf GTI TCR at a starting price of EUR38,950 (around $44,356) including VAT.

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR is basically the street going version of the same-named racing car that won the international TCR racing series two times. It is powered by a version of the carmaker’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is tuned to deliver up to 286 hp (213 kW) of max output. Power is sent to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – the only option -- with a limited-slip front differential.

With this amount of power, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR is capable of sprinting from nil to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in just 5.6 seconds, on its way to a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). However, when a customer avails of a certain option (Vmax), the Golf GTI TCR can go as fast as 162 mph (260 km/h).

More exclusive than the Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance23 that is capable of delivering 245 PS (180 kW), the new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR is marked exterior features such as black exterior mirror caps, front splitter, TCR roof spoiler, sill extensions as well as a rear diffuser. It rides on 18-inch Belvedere forged wheels as standard or on 18-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels as an option. Further, as soon as the front doors of the Golf GTI TCR are opened, the TCR logo will be projected onto the road. The Golf GTI TCR comes with LED headlights.

A customer may also opt to further personalize the new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR with a black painted roof, a new honeycomb decor foil for the side panels, carbon door mirror caps and various 19-inch alloy wheels.

A number of packages are available including one that costs EUR2,350. This package includes the Vmax upgrade, Reifnitz 19-inch wheels shod with 235/35 R 19 tires, the DCC adaptive chassis control system and a sports version of the rear damping system. The second package – costing EUR 3,200 – provides the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR with the Vmax upgrade, sports version of the rear damping and the DCC, as well as Pretoria 19-inch wheels shod with semi-slick 235/35 R 19 tires.

Featuring Front Assist and Active Info Display, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR is equipped a front-axle differential lock, perforated brake discs, premium front sport seats with a new microfiber/fabric design, seat belts with red edging as well as an exclusive sports steering wheel. The perforated leather of the steering wheel is specially imprinted at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, and dons a red mark at 12 o'clock.

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Golf with the genes of a race car: Advance sales of Golf GTI TCR commence

The latest evolution of a true motoring icon – the Golf GTI – can now be ordered: the Golf GTI TCR1. This 213 kW / 290 PS sports car can reach speeds of up to 260 km/h, and is fitted with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), petrol particulate filter and highly exclusive equipment as standard. Price: EUR 38,950 (in Germany, incl. VAT.).

The new Golf GTI TCR was derived from the racing car of the same name – the two-time overall winner of the international TCR racing series. The street version passes the 100 km/h mark after just 5.6 seconds, while the maximum speed is 250 km/h. The Vmax can optionally be increased to 260 km/h.

The Golf GTI TCR is even more exclusive than the Golf GTI Performance23 (which produces 180 kW / 245 PS) and features technology such as Front Assist, Active Info Display and LED headlights. The standard equipment includes a front-axle differential lock, perforated brake discs, driving profile selection, premium front sport seats with a new microfibre/fabric design, seat belts with red edging plus an exclusive sports steering wheel. As with the racing series, its leather is specially imprinted (perforated leather) at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions as well as with a red mark at 12 o'clock.

The new Golf GTI TCR is also distinguished by the standard 18-inch Belvedere forged wheels (or 18-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels, as an alternative), black exterior mirror caps, sill extensions, front splitter, TCR roof spoiler and a diffuser at the rear. he newcomer makes a further strong impression even before the driver settles behind the wheel, as the TCR logo is projected onto the road when the front doors are opened.

The Golf GTI TCR can be further customised with options such as a new honeycomb decor foil for the side panels, carbon door mirror caps, a black painted roof, as well as various 19-inch alloy wheels. The alloy wheels are offered as a package, which among other things includes a Vmax upgrade to 260 km/h.

The first package (EUR 2,350) includes Reifnitz 19-inch rims with 235/35 R 19 tyres, the Vmax upgrade, a sports version of the rear damping system and the DCC adaptive chassis control system. The second package (EUR 3,200) includes Pretoria 19-inch rims with racetrack-ready sports tyres (semi-slicks) sized 235/35 R 19. Here, too, the Vmax upgrade, the sports version of the rear damping and the DCC are included. This package also includes additional wheel locks with expanded anti-theft protection.