World première at Wörthersee: Racing-inspired Golf GTI TCR with speeds of up to 264 km/h


Important information – key points of the Golf GTI TCR concept

• Homage to GTI fans: Volkswagen presents a nearly production-ready concept – the new top Golf GTI model – at the Wörthersee meeting.
• Strong performance: The GTI TCR1 TSI delivers 290 PS and 370 Nm; power is transmitted to the front wheels via a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and locking differential.
• From the racetrack to the road: The Golf GTI TCR is the road version of the 350 PS Golf GTI in the TCR race series.
• Speed of 250 km/h as standard: Without a limiter (optional) the Golf GTI TCR reaches a top speed of 264 km/h.
• Racing look: The new bumper design – splitter in the front and diffuser at the rear - is a hallmark of the racing gene.
• Standard sporty features: A steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock stripe, a new sport seat design and 18-inch forged wheels.
• Superior braking system: The Golf GTI TCR is equipped with a high-performance braking system as standard.
• Powerful sound: A titanium exhaust system from Akrapovič is optionally available.
• Pure Grey: The new special dynamic colour “Pure Grey” was designed exclusively for the début of the Golf GTI TCR.
• In the starting blocks: The top GTI model will launch this year still in Europe.

Golf GTI TCR – pure sports car doctrine

At this year’s GTI Meeting at Wörthersee (9 to 12 May 2018), Volkswagen will present a new milestone in the history of the cult compact car to Golf GTI fans: the Golf GTI TCR, which has a top speed of 264 km/h and is almost ready for production. The special edition is a road version, derived for the series, of the racing car of the same name and two-time overall winner of the international TCR race series. The successful touring racing car’s specs make the new top model a dominating presence: design, power and performance are intrinsic to the pure sports car doctrine. The 2.0 litre turbo engine of the new Golf GTI TCR delivers 213 kW / 290 PS (at 5,000 to 6,800 rpm). The maximum torque of 370 Nm lies between 1,600 and 4,300 rpm. Power is transmitted to the front wheels as standard via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and a locking differential. The factory-set maximum speed is 250 km/h, but this can be increased to 264 km/h as mentioned above by opting to remove the electronic Vmax limiter. Wherever the digital speedometer needle (standard Active Info Display) stops, the newly developed roof edge spoiler ensures the necessary downforce at the rear axle. The new Golf GTI TCR is expected to be launched at the end of this year still.

It brakes as well as it accelerates. Numerous individual features add to the Golf GTI TCR’s sporty character and robust look. The new top Golf GTI model has 18-inch “Belvedere” forged wheels from the Wolfsburg plant as standard. the newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels are optionally available. Lurking behind the large alloy wheels are perforated brake discs together with special brake calipers and pads to slow racing fans down just as confidently as the role model on the racetrack.

Stainless steel or titanium exhaust system. To ensure sufficient cooling for the high engine performance, the Golf GTI TCR features two extra radiators in the front, as in the Golf R2/3. The stainless steel exhaust system and end pipes are also tuned for higher performance. Optionally, the Golf GTI TCR exhales with a titanium exhaust system from Akrapovič, which is currently only available for the all-wheel drive Golf R. In the GTI TCR, it replaces the standard system from the particulate filter for petrol engines and bears the logo of the renowned manufacturer Akrapovič on the tailpipe cover. Always on board too: The front-axle locking differential well known from the Golf GTI Performance (optimising traction and handling on fast bends) and the driving profile selection with the modes “ECO”, “NORMAL”, “SPORT” and “INDIVIDUAL”. The latter enables the specific tuning of the steering, engine performance curve and gearbox as well as (optional) Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC).

Vmax removal and DCC in one package. If desired, particularly enthusiastic drivers can order a package that pushes the performance of the Golf GTI TCR even further towards the racetrack: In addition to removing the Vmax limit and the new 19-inch wheels, it includes a 20-millimetre lower body with sports chassis and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). It allows the features of the electrical shock absorbers to be adjusted at the touch of a button and provides the option to choose between a sporty, comfortable or normal chassis configuration as desired and depending on the situation.

Exterior design - in the racing style. The Golf GTI TCR’s distinctive look is also proof of its outstanding position. The most powerful GTI yet has a new front bumper. What’s remarkable here: the high-shine black applications on the side intakes of the modified airflow (for the extra radiators) and a sharply contoured splitter as a front spoiler, as also used in racing. Also new: the newly designed panel attachment on the side, which is continued in the rear. Here, they join a distinctively designed diffuser and the exterior integrated exhaust system tailpipes on the left and right. Meanwhile, at the top on the rear, the dynamic curve of the roof section joins a spoiler, which provides additional downward thrust on the rear axle.

Exterior equipment - GTI colours plus "Pure Grey". Volkswagen has developed the new colour “Pure Grey”. The other colours have been GTI classics from the start: “Pure White”, “Tornado Red”, “Deep Black Pearl Effect” and “Oryx White Pearl Effect”. Combined with “Pure Grey”, “Pure White” and “Tornado Red”, there is the option to order the roof in the contrasting colour “Black”. Also black: the matt finish wing mirror covers (optional caron look) and the lettering “TCR” above the sills; if desired, with an additional distinctive honeycomb pattern in the GTI style to the side of the vehicle. The Golf GTI TCR has a particularly inviting effect when opening the front doors: The TCR logo is then projected on to the asphalt. The stainless steel sill panel trim is personalised by means of a red illuminated element.

Interior - the GTI is in a class of its own. Drivers and passengers benefit from top sports seats, whose microfibre/fabric covers were crafted specifically for this version. The door inserts and gear stick cover are also in microfibre. The seat centre sections are in the contrasting colour “Flash Red”, which serves as a bridge to the red contrasting stitching on the sports steering wheel – the latter is not the only element to mimic the interior of a race car, either: the leather cover is specially imprinted at 3 and 9 o’clock and features a red 12 o’clock stripe. With their red edges, the seatbelts also incorporate this typical GTI colour scheme, like the gear lever with red stripes.

International series. As mentioned, the 290 PS-strong Golf GTI TCR will be launched in Europe at the end of the year. Volkswagen is planning to offer the new GTI top model on other continents as well, giving the super-fast series version of the TCR racing car an international presence on par with the eponymous touring car category.

TCR – the successful race series. The TCR series born in 2015 combines top-class racing with series-based technology. 4- and 5-door vehicles with 2.0 litre petrol or diesel motors are permitted, driven exclusively by private teams. Besides the worldwide “TCR International Series”, numerous national racing associations host TCR race series. The competition model Golf GTI TCR won the worldwide series (which was awarded the title of FIA World Touring Car Cup “WTCR” in 2018) in 2016 and 2017 and has already won twelve national titles. Volkswagen Motorsport has built more than 100 specimens of the racing car, manually and on a small scale, and delivered them to customer teams since 2016. This year’s Golf GTI TCR racer delivers 257 kW/350 PS and a torque of 420 newton metres – on the front axle.

Technical specifications – initial values

	Golf GTI TCR (road version)
Engine	2.0 TSI
Power	213 kW / 290 PS At 5,000 to 6,800 rpm
Torque (max)	370 Nm At 1,600 to 4,300 rpm
Gearbox	7-gear DSG
Drive	Front axle with locking differential
Vmax limited	250 km/h
Vmax unlimited	264 km/h
Wheel sizes	18 inch (series) and 19 inch