Volkswagen launches the Golf GTI TCR Concept

The Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR Concept, the first road car directly derived from a TCR racer, has been unveiled to motorsport fans last weekend, in the TCR Europe Series’ paddock during the Jumbo Racing Days at Zandvoort.
The car is powered by a 2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers 290hp and can push the Golf to a top speed of 264 km/h that makes it the fastest GTI in the model range.
Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, introducing the car during the GTI meeting at Reifnitz am Wörthersee, Austria, explained: "At the moment, the Golf GTI TCR Concept – an athlete derived from racing sport – is a study. But at the end of the year, we want to make this GTI vision come true."

The design, power and performance of the Golf GTI TCR Concept all follow pure sports car doctrine. The power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and a locking differential; the top speed of the standard version will be optional up to 264 km/h which makes it the fastest Volkswagen in the current model range.
The future standard version will leave the Wolfsburg plant with 18-inch ‘Belvedere’ forged wheels; 19-inch alloy wheels will also be available as an option. Behind the large wheels there is a high performance braking system with perforated discs that decelerate the production car just as effortlessly as the TCR racing car.
The car sports the ‘TCR’ logo above the sills and, when opening the front doors, this is projected on to the asphalt. The GTI TCR Concept is in the trial phase and its standard production is due to begin at the end of 2018.

Marcello Lotti, the mastermind behind TCR, commented: “The Volkswagen Group has been one of the most supportive partners in our efforts to launch and establish the TCR concept. The Golf GTI TCR Concept is the latest fruit of this cooperation and we are extremely proud that they have elected to sport the TCR brand on the fastest ever version of one of the most popular and best-selling cars of all times.”

Sven Smeets, Director of Volkswagen Motorsport, added: “The TCR series has rapidly developed into a global success story, with more than 20 spin-offs. Having seen the Golf GTI TCR named the series’ Model of the Year on several occasions already, the road-going version is the logical next step. We are delighted by the close partnership with the TCR and I am sure that the 290-hp Golf GTI TCR Concept will go down brilliantly with the fans.”