What's all this about?
Oh, just another high-performance Volkswagen Golf, revealed at the Worthersee GTI Meeting in Austria.
What have we got this time - a GTE special? A GTD? An R?
Nope, none of those. Instead, it's a 290hp version of the GTI.
We've already HAD a 290hp Golf GTI, haven't we?!
You're thinking of the GTI Clubsport, which had a 265hp motor that leapt to 290hp for 10-second periods of maximum acceleration. Of course, the evolution of that car was the scorching Clubsport S, which was stripped out, had 310hp (that's now Golf R power) and, for a brief period, held the Nürburgring lap record for front-wheel-drive cars.
So, er... what have we got now?
It's called the Golf GTI TCR, so-named after the highly successful touring car racing version, which has 350hp and 420Nm. Not quite those outputs for the road-going TCR, however, but 290hp and 370Nm are not to be sniffed at. Especially when they can propel the Golf GTI to 164mph flat out, if the option to remove the speed limiter is taken by TCR owners.
So the Worthersee show car is going into production?
Yes, before the year is out. No word on build numbers for the GTI TCR, but we do know plenty more about it. Such as it has a seven-speed DSG twin-clutch auto and a limited-slip differential as standard. And a stainless steel exhaust system, which can be upgraded to an Akrapovi? titanium affair - marking a first for Golf GTIs, as only the R has the Akrapovi? pipes as an option now. Big ventilated brake discs with upgraded callipers and pads, 18-inch forged 'Belvedere' alloys (19s are an option), a pair of extra radiators to keep the 2.0-litre turbocharged four cool, a subtle body kit with new bumpers, front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and roof spoiler, TCR-logo and honeycomb decals, and an exclusive body colour - Pure Grey - are all part of the kit list, too. Inside are sporty seats with microfibre upholstery and more microfibre on the door cards, lots of red stitching and illuminated-red sill plates. One item on the options list will be the Dynamic Chassis Control adjustable suspension, too.
Any prices for all this yet?
No, but it’sit's likely to be in the £30,000-plus ballpark, given the power and performance it offers. Now, how to price it without stepping on the R’sR's toes...?
...?
Matt Robinson - 10 May 2018