Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR is VW's track-only hot hatch
345bhp Golf comes prepared to do battle in touring car races around the world, priced £79,000 before taxes
Volkswagen has revealed a new track prepared version of its facelifted Mk7 Golf family hatchback. Called the Golf GTI TCR, it’s designed strictly for circuit racing and is aimed at professionals competing in TCR touring car championships around the world. It’s the second version of the GTI TCR, after Volkswagen gave the Golf its circuit racing stripes last year.
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The 2017 version of the TCR focuses on aerodynamic tweaks, though it’s still a wide bodied Golf GTI boasting a huge rear wing, revised front bumper with race spec front splitter and a large rear-diffuser. Despite its humble hot hatch origins, it’s unmistakeably a racing car.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, tuned to produce 345bhp. Power is delivered to the wheels via a sequential gearbox with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
No definitive performance figures have been revealed, as just how fast the car accelerates and its top speed depends on how teams and engineers set it up, though this should be one fast Golf in the right hands.
VW built 20 Golf GTI TCRs last year and expects to prepare 30 for the upcoming TCR season. The new car will be available from £79,000 before taxes.
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