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Fastest GTI ever: Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR price and specification

The fastest Volkswagen Golf GTI to date will arrive in Australian showrooms in July priced from $51,490 plus on-road costs.

Celebrating Volkswagen’s success in Touring Car Racing, the Golf GTI TCR is the latest in the line of GTI special editions that began with the GTI Pirelli (Mark 5), through GTI 35th Anniversary (Mark 6) and GTI 40 Years (Mark 7, 2016).

The GTI TCR succeeds the GTI 40 Years as the most powerful production version of the original ‘hot hatch’ model line. While both emulate the 213kW of the Golf R, the 40 Years achieved this power on overboost. In the GTI TCR this output is constantly attainable; an appreciable increase over the standard GTI’s 180kW.

The GTI TCR’s 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds is 0.6 second quicker than the GTI 40 Years with DSG transmission and within one second of the Golf R DSG hatch’s 4.8 seconds.

Unlike the Golf R, GTIs eschew all-wheel-drive for the lighter weight of a front differential lock. In the TCR this is augmented by a bespoke adaptive chassis control and performance front brake system. The TCR rides more firmly and 5mm lower than the standard GTI.

The difference with GTI TCR and the regular GTI is also audible with a freer flowing exhaust system providing a distinctive note. A six-speed version of Volkswagen’s wet clutch DSG comes with the unfiltered 350Nm version of this engine tune.

Available in the Pure White and Tornado Red shades synonymous with GTI, the GTI TCR is also available in a new Pure Grey. All colours come with a black roof, distinctive honeycomb side decals and bespoke 19-inch alloys.

The GTI TCR interior features include Alcantara accents, black/red sports cloth upholstery, a new version of the GTI steering wheel with perforated leather at the hand positions and a red 12 o’clock marker.

The final iteration of the current generation Golf, just 300 units GTI TCRs will be made available in Australia.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI$46,690

OPTIONS

Metallic/Pearl effect paint$600

Sound & Style package
19″ Brescia alloy wheels, 9.2″ satellite navigation,
Gesture Control, Voice Control and Dynaudio Excite
400W premium audio system
$2,300

Luxury package
Vienna leather upholstery, heated front seats, electrically
adjustable driver’s seat with memory function,
exterior mirrors with memory function,
panoramic electric glass sunroof
$3,900

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI TCR$51,490

Additional and differing specification to the GTI:

Glass panoramic sunroof$1900