European customers can place
orders for the motorsport-inspired Golf GTI TCR. Marketed as the road-going
version of the namesake touring racer, the Golf GTI TCR is the pinnacle of
front-wheel-drive Golfs you can buy today. Of course, there used to be an even
more hardcore 306 hp Golf GTI Clubsport S but that limited-run special
is sold out.
The Golf GTI TCR has just gone on sale with a
2.0-liter TSI turbo-four delivering 290 PS at 5,400-6,400 rpm and 380
Nm of torque constantly available from 1,950 to 5,300 rpm. The engine is mated to a standard
seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission that drives the front
wheels, and it does a pretty good job at that. 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.6
seconds and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h as standard.
However, customers have the option to remove the limiter, enabling the Golf GTI
TCR to hit its natural maximum speed of 260 km/h.
From the Golf family, only the Golf R sprints more
quickly from 0 to 100 km/h — it does it in 4.6 seconds and it tops out at 267
km/h when fitted with the optional seven-speed DSG transmission and
the Performance package. You can easily recognize a Golf GTI TCR thanks to the unique front
and rear bumpers featuring a splitter at the front and diffuser at the rear, as
well as the exclusive roof spoiler and standard stainless-steel exhaust system.
Other exclusive features include the 18-inch
“Belvedere” forged wheels (19-inch “Reifnitz” and “Pretoria” also available),
smoked headlights and taillights, optional black contrasting roof and mirror
caps, as well as a new “Pure Grey” exterior color. As for the side decals,
you’ll be happy to know they’re optional.
Inside, the Golf GTI TCR sports a steering wheel
with a red 12 o’clock stripe, sports seats upholstered in microfiber/fabric in
an exclusive design, red stitching all over the cabin (including the
seatbelts), and new interior trim. Equipment-wise, the Golf GTI TCR offers
pretty much everything as standard. The list features automatic
all-LED lights, Active Info Display, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers,
Composition Media infotainment system with 8 speakers, dual-zone Air Care
Climatronic, progressive steering, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking
System and Pedestrian Monitoring, and more.
Besides the beefy powertrain, standard hardware also
includes a high-performance braking system with perforated front discs, special
brake pads, and red brake calipers, as well as a front locking differential and
two extra water radiators for added cooling capacity. The main optional feature is the
Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping system that brings a 5 mm lower ride height than the standard Golf GTI and sports-tuned shock absorbers.
Prices start from € 38,950 (US$ 44,300) in Germany.