#18 - 23 May 2018
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.”
Photos: TCR-Photo 4
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