The new and eighth generation Volkswagen Golf has already been unveiled, and its world presentation is taking place in Portugal. The farewell of the seventh generation couldn't be more appropriate than a test of the ultimate Golf GTI, the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.
It was the farewell gift not only for this generation of Golf, but also for the Golf GTI, the hot hatch that would define a whole new class of compact sports cars more than 40 years ago.
What separates the Golf GTI TCR from a “normal” Golf GTI Performance? Let Diogo guide you:
GTI TCR vs GTI Performance
The most visible difference only “see” it when we drive it. The Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR extracts 45 hp more from the EA888 compared to the GTI Performance, with maximum power rising to 290hp and torque rising slightly to 380Nm . Both are equipped with the seven-speed DSG gearbox and power continues to be channeled to the front axle only.Subscribe to our newsletter
That's where we find a self-locking differential, a valuable help when exploring the GTI's dynamic capabilities, sending torque to the outer wheel of the curve, precisely the one that needs it.
The 45 hp more also guarantees superior performance. The 100 km/h, for example, is dispatched in just 5.6s, 0.6s less than the GTI Performance, and up to 0.1s faster than the all-powerful Honda Civic Type R. Top speed is electronically limited to 260 km/h.
The unit we tested came with the optional 19″ wheels — 18″ as standard — and the excellent Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. Dynamically it also stands out for its adaptive damping, and its reduced ground clearance by 5 mm.
Inspired by the competition Golf GTI TCR, it visually stands out from other GTIs. The bumpers are distinct, as are the side skirts and the rear diffuser. The exterior decoration is finished off by black mirror covers, as well as some vinyl graphics on the bodywork.
Inside, the sports seats receive a specific decoration, as well as the steering wheel, with a flat bottom, is exclusive – in leather, with red stitching and the red marker at 12 o'clock.
How much does it cost?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR starts at 55,179 euros, but the options present in the unit tested amount to 60,994 euros. Yes, its rivals are more accessible, but the truth is also that the TCR keeps all the scrolls that made Golf the reference in the segment that it has been until today.