Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR teased ahead of Worthersee debut
With more power and a meaner look
Volkswagen is preparing a hotter, harder flagship for its Golf GTI line-up, borrowing parts from the road-car-based Touring Car Racing variant.
That means the Golf GTI TCR will be a road-going version of the racing GTI, which itself is based on a road car. Right.
Semantics aside, the GTI TCR shapes as a tantalising proposition. Volkswagen is promising 213kW of power and 370Nm of torque, put to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
That makes it more powerful than the Hyundai i30 N and base Renault Megane RS, both of which have arrived on the scene since the Mk7 GTI was launched. It still trails the Honda Civic Type R, however.
A locking front differential is standard, designed to put all that power to the road without fuss. The car will hit 250km/h from the factory, or 264km/h with the limiter removed.
Beyond the mechanical changes, the TCR appears to sit on bigger wheels than standard, with a lower ride height and more aggressive bodykit. There are hints of the Clubsport S in the rear diffuser and wheels, although this is likely a more serious beast.
The GTI TCR will make its debut at Lake Worthersee on May 9. Stay tuned for our coverage.