Volkswagen
Golf TCR Concept
Volkswagen
is beefing up its motorsports efforts with a race-ready version of the latest
Golf.
Known
as the Golf TCR, short for Touring Car Racer, named after the new international
racing series of the same name – it’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged
four-cylinder engine derived from the Golf R, pumping out 330 horsepower and
302 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends
that kick to the front wheels.
The
Golf TCR concept looks familiar, wearing most of the Golf’s body, the Golf R
hot hatch’s tail lamps and a version of its front bumper design, but that’s
about where the obvious similarities end.
Naturally,
this Golf’s upgrades extend beyond the engine. High-performance suspension
components have been fitted, along with 18-inch racing wheels and tires that
extend the car’s overall track by 1.6 inches. A functional air splitter and a
carbon fibre wing out back help improve aerodynamics, while a larger front
grille helps improve cooling.
Inside,
the Golf TCR is pretty much all-racecar, interior components like door panels
and carpeting have been stripped out in favour of weight savings. There’s also
a roll cage and a racing bucket seat with the appropriate safety harnesses.
Volkswagen
says it will begin “evaluation” of the Golf TCR this weekend at the Red Bull
Ring in Austria. If it proves to be successful, we’ll likely see it available
to racing teams in 2016.
When
it hits the track, the Golf TCR will face off against a field that includes
rivals based on the Honda Civic, Opel Astra, Ford Focus and stablemate the Seat
Leon.
