New VW Golf GTI TCR Is A 286HP Hot Hatch With Racing Genes

VW has revealed the Golf GTI TCR concept at the annual Wörthersee GTI Meeting as the fastest derivative of the popular GTI.

While the show car is described as a concept, the German carmaker has confirmed that production of the motorsport-inspired Golf GTI TCR will start later this year.

As you might have guessed from the name already, the new Golf GTI TCR is inspired by the racing Golf TCR that competes in Touring Car Racing. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is tuned to produce 286hp (290PS) and 272lb-ft (370Nm) of peak torque from just 1,600rpm.

The more powerful engine is paired to a standard seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. Power goes to the front axle which also features a standard locking differential. VW didn’t release any acceleration figures, only saying that customers will be able to optionally lift the 155mph (250km/h) top speed limited to 164mph (264km/h), making the Golf GTI TCR the fastest GTI derivative of the current model range.

The chassis of the more aggressive GTI TCR will feature bigger brakes, two extra radiators for better cooling during track usage and 18-inch forged alloys as standard; 19-inch wheels will be offered as an option. The adaptive chassis control (DCC) will be tuned accordingly, dropping the ride height by 20mm among others, in order to offer a sharper driving experience.

The exterior of the new VW Golf GTI TCR is defined by the newly designed bumpers, with the front one featuring a sharp-looking splitter, a new rear diffuser and more shouty exhaust tips. Speaking of which, the production version of the Golf GTI TCR will make use of the Akrapovič titanium system, which was previously only available on the Golf R as an option.

The interior gets a pair of sports seats that are dressed with newly designed microfiber upholstery, with matching trim on the door cards and gear lever. Both the flat-bottomed steering wheel and the gear lever feature a red marker at the 12 o’clock position.

Unlike the Golf GTI Clubsport, the new Golf GTI TCR is expected to be offered in unrestricted numbers. With that said, the fastest version of the Golf GTI will arrive just a few months before the new generation Golf is expected to be revealed, so you could say that the Golf GTI TCR is going to be the swan song of the seventh generation.