Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR launched overseas

The 213kW Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, inspired by and named for the international Touring Car Racing series, has launched in Europe with initial sales and pricing announced, though its Australian arrival is yet to have a date stamped on it.

In June 2018, MOTOR confirmed the GTI TCR would arrive on Aussie shores during 2019, with VW Australia now estimating a Q3 arrival, if not slightly later in Q4 2019. At least 400 units are expected.

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The 213kW/370Nm GTI TCR’s 2.0-litre four matches the Golf R for power (and almost torque) output, but is front-driven rather than all-wheel drive via VW’s 4Motion system.

This should make the GTI TCR a better match for higher-powered rivals such as the Civic Type R and Mégane RS Trophy, though it’s available with a 7-speed DSG only. Its claimed 0-100kmh time is 5.6 seconds.

It’s able to hit a 250km/h top speed, though VW strangely offers to raise this to 260km/h as part of an option pack worth the equivalent of AUD$3700, or another pack worth just more than AUD$5000.

Whether these packs will be made available in Australia isn’t certain, but both contain a different set of 19-inch wheels, sports-tuned rear suspension, and the Vmax upgrade, while the pricier pack add semi-slick tyres to the mix.

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Pricing for the car itself sits at 38,950 Euro in Germany including VAT, which converts directly to AUD$61,900. Don’t expect it to be a cheap purchase, especially as it’s likely to be a very limited run.

Initially the GTI TCR was expected to arrive between “early and mid-2019” with VW Australia saying it would “do all we can to get our hands on it.”