Is this the one we have all been waiting for? Welcome to the Golf GTI TCR. This 290 PS hot hatch 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 for the car in Ireland is €47,495 in either 3-door or 5- door body styles. Only 20 examples will be sold to Irish customers. The 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 road version passes the 100 km/h mark after just 5.6 seconds, while the maximum speed is 250 km/h with a 260km/h Vmax can option.
The Golf GTI TCR is even more exclusive than the Golf GTI Performance (which produces 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. The 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 optional equipment such as a new honeycomb decor foil for the side sections, exterior mirror caps in carbon look, a black painted roof and two wheel packages to choose from.
In addition to the Vmax increase from 250 to 260 km/h outlined above, the first wheel package at a price of €2,895 includes the 19-inch Reifnitz wheels, the adaptive chassis control DCC, including lowering by 20 mm compared to the standard running gear (five millimetres less as compared to the GTI running gear) and a special, sporty tuning of the front and rear axle shock absorbers. The second wheel package costs €3,895 and is tailored especially for the racetrack: Compared to the first wheel package, the distinguishing feature here is the set of 19-inch Pretoria rims with semi-slicks. Deliveries are expected to commence in March.
