Volkswagen to unleash Golf GTI TCR on the road

Are you ready to put a TCR car in your driveway at home?

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed its limited-edition, racing-inspired Golf GTI TCR will arrive in the middle of 2020. Based on the already quick GTI hot hatch, VW’s engineers have used the knowledge gained in TCR to make this special version even hotter.

The GTI TCR is the most powerful of its lineage, pumping out 213kW of power and 400Nm of torque; up from 180kW/370Nm in the current GTI.

Mated exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and driving the front wheels, the GTI TCR will do battle with its on-track TCR rivals – the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R.

It will also serve as a swansong for the current generation Golf 7 GTI, with the eighth-generation GTI due to be revealed in 2020.

Volkswagen Australia believes its an ideal way to send off the out-going model, providing a collector’s item for hot hatch enthusiasts.

“We’re talking about the most powerful production GTI to come to these shores,” a VW Australia spokesman told torquecafe.com.

“Golf R might have forged ahead of GTI in terms of sales this year, but for some a true hot hatch is front-wheel-drive. We think this will become a classic.”

Aside from the upgraded engine, the GTI TCR gets a unique bodykit, with a new-look front bumper and extended roof spoiler. There’s also black alloy wheels and optional TCR graphics to visually separate it from the standard GTI.

Inside there’s a special seat trim material and a chunky, flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in leather with red stitching.

Volkswagen Australia hasn’t confirmed pricing for the GTI TCR but has indicated it will fall between the $46,190 GTI and the $54,990 all-wheel drive Golf R.