Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR concept revealed

With the unveiling of the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR concept at the Wörthersee GTI meet in Austria, the Golf GTI range gains a new fastest member.

With a top speed of 264km/h and 213kW/370Nm – coming from a VW 2.0-litre turbo four – the GTI TCR is a front-driven weapon which could be set to take on the likes of Mégane RS and Civic R-Type.

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But it gets better. Volkswagen’s local arm says it’s going to try very hard to bring the TCR to Australia.

“It’s very much our wish that it does [come to Australia],” VW Australia communications manager Paul Pottinger told MOTOR.

“We’re doing all we can to get our hands on it.”

He adds that VW Australia will be making announcements regarding its performance range in the near future, though it won’t necessarily be TCR-related.

When the GTI TCR does eventually become a production car, it’ll be fitted with a 7-speed DSG and a locking diff between the front wheels, which will be able to distribute all 370Nm from just 1600rpm.

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The pack which can be ordered to allow the GTI TCR hit its top speed (rather than the 250km/h limiter) also includes a sports chassis tuned for harder driving, and adaptive chassis control.

Behind 19-inch forged wheels, perforated brakes stop the road-going TCR “just as effortlessly as the TCR racing car.”

Two extra radiators are fitted to the GTI TCR to keep the high-output engine cool, behind a redesigned front bumper, with a TCR-specific front splitter.

Inside, premium sports seats are upholstered in microfibre and cloth, and feature a design which is reminiscent of the GTI’s traditional tartan, while not actually using it.