Volkswagen Unveils its Track-Only Golf GTI TCR

Volkswagen GTI TCR (Credit: © Volkswagen)

Volkswagen is pulling out all the stops to try and distract people from its dieselgate issues as it just unveiled a track-only version of the GTI that is available for public consumption. Known as the Golf GTI TCR, this rig has the general looks of a road-ready GTI but with the performance bits needed to handle track duties.

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A quick glimpse and this looks like just a modded GTI, but a more detailed scan shows that this GTI has a purpose. Sure, it retains the same overall appearance of the standard GTI, but its front and rear ends are highlighted by massive spoilers—the latter is crafted from carbon fiber. Down the sides, the GTI’s transformation to track car is further strengthened by its ground effects and huge wheel flares that add 40 mm (1.57 inches) to the width of the standard GTI. These flare house extra-wide 18-inch rolling stock.

Inside, the GTI TCR’s racing intentions are even more obvious. Here, Volkswagen installed a racing seat with head protectors, a roll cage in case you go shiny side down, and an FIA-approved safety tank.

Volkswagen GTI TCR (Credit: © Volkswagen)

Powering this super-aggressive GTI is a tweaked version of the Golf R’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This small four-pot pumps out 330 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque, which is 40 horsepower and 22 pound-feet more than the Golf R. This potent engine pairs with a sequential gearbox that delivers power to the front wheels. This adds up to a 5.2-second sprint to 60 mph and a top speed of 143 mph.

These cars will be eligible to compete in the TCR International Series, which kicked off on January 4, 2016. There were 20 examples of this rig available but buyers had them all gobbled up by mid-January.