VW has rolled out quite a few special editions of the Golf GTI Mk7, but it decided that the last one should be a tribute to the TCR race car that competes in the VLN Endurance Championship and TCR International Series.
It’s not the most hardcore of the Mk7 GTIs, as that title belongs to the limited-run Clubsport S, but the road-going TCR manages to combine a tighter chassis setup with more power and unique styling.
The EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter four has been tuned to produce 286hp (290PS) and 272lb-ft (370Nm) of peak torque and is paired exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels, for a 0-62mph (0-100km/h) sprint of just 5.6 seconds.
The chassis benefits from bigger brakes, VW’s trick limited-slip differential, the (optional) DCC adaptive suspension that drops the ride height by 20mm, and two extra radiators for better cooling during track usage.
Visually, the GTI TCR sports a sharper front splitter, new rear diffuser and a louder Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, as well as some hard-to-miss stickers. Inside, you get a pair of sports front seats dressed in a new microfiber upholstery, the classic GTI flat-bottom steering wheel with a red marker at the 12 o’clock position, plenty of red stitching and a digital instrument cluster.
It may not be the on-again, off-again 400 HP, AWD super-Golf that was indeed tested, but ultimately canned, but the GTI TCR is still one very exciting hot hatch to drive down your favorite b-road, as Carfection found in its review that you can watch right below.