VW Golf TCR – The Most Powerful GTI Ever
Volkswagen has officially launched the new Golf GTI TCR which was first revealed at the Festival of Motoring in Johannesburg last year to whet local buyers’ appetites. It was met with a significant amount of excitement from VW enthusiasts and, with Mzansi’s love for the GTI, is destined for a bright future here. Fun fact, since the launch of the Golf 7 in 2013, over 40,000 units have been sold. Even more fascinating is the fact that of these 40,000 units sold, over 13,000 of them were GTI’s. Long story short, every 1 in 3 Golf 7’s sold are GTI’s.
Only 300 GTI TCR’s are destined for South Africa, which makes it one of the most exclusive Volkswagen models in our country, joining the ranks of the Clubsport and Clubsport S from 2016. Let’s start with the most important factor of the new VW Golf TCR – its R669,000 price tag. This puts it between the current Golf GTI and the Golf R in Volkswagen’s line-up. For R91,000 less, you could have the Golf GTI 7.5, or if you add another R21,000 you could go straight to the last-number Golf R, with its 228kW of power, Akrapovic pipes and all the street-cred you could imagine.
A normal person would argue that it makes the most sense to save under R100k and just get a regular GTI, but the TCR was not intended for ‘normal people’. The Golf GTI TCR was made for the purists and enthusiasts. It sticks to the classic GTI recipe and takes it completely overboard at the same time. This overindulgence is evident in the 213kW of power and 380Nm of torque produced by the 2.0-litre TSI under the hood of the TCR, enabling the hot-hatch to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 5.6-seconds before reaching a top speed of 264km/h. Drive is sent to the front wheels through VW’s DSG transmission, so Vrr-Pha comes standard.
Volkswagen has positioned the TCR as a more extreme version of the regular GTI and it has the bells and whistles to reinforce this idea. The Dynamic Chassis Control allows the driver to switch between Comfort Mode, Eco Mode and Sport Mode at the touch of a button. The Active Info Display replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a screen, displaying speed, gears, media and more. Both of these features come standard on the TCR, along with a panoramic sunroof, park assist and We Connect Go.
Customers can pick their TCR in one of three colours – Pure White, Tornado Red or Pure Grey. Other exterior features include a full TCR body kit, 19-inch “Reifnitz” alloys, matte black side mirrors and TCR honeycomb decals along the side. Volkswagen has also fitted a set of performance brakes nestled behind the black wheels. Unlock the TCR and you’re greeted by a logo projected onto the floor from the side mirrors.
Step into the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR and you’re immediately greeted by a set of exquisite GTI TRC velour sport seats. A cool feature in the GTI TCR is the unique ‘x of 300’ number that’s fitted inside letting you know you’re driving something special. A lot of other limited cars just say ‘1 of x’, not really letting you know which number it is. The steering is a TCR Sports version and features a red stripe at the top.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the VW Golf TCR cost in South Africa?
The VW Golf TCR is priced at R669,000 in South Africa, positioning it between the regular Golf GTI at R578,000 and the Golf R at R690,000.
Q: How powerful is the VW Golf TCR compared to a regular GTI?
The Golf TCR produces 213kW and 380Nm from its 2.0-litre TSI engine, making it significantly more powerful than the regular GTI's output, and it can sprint from 0-100kph in just 5.6 seconds.
Q: How many VW Golf TCR models are available in South Africa?
Only 300 Golf GTI TCR units are destined for South Africa, making it one of the most exclusive Volkswagen models in the country alongside the previous Clubsport variants.
Q: Is the VW Golf TCR worth the extra money over a regular GTI?
The TCR costs R91,000 more than a regular GTI but offers significantly more power and exclusivity, making it worthwhile for enthusiasts who want the most extreme front-wheel-drive Golf experience available.
Q: Should I buy the Golf TCR or save up for the Golf R?
For just R21,000 more than the TCR, the Golf R offers 228kW, all-wheel drive, and Akrapovic exhausts, but the TCR maintains the pure front-wheel-drive GTI character that purists prefer.
Should You Buy It?
The VW Golf TCR at R669,000 is a tough sell for most buyers, but if you're a GTI purist with deep pockets, absolutely go for it. This is the most powerful front-wheel-drive Golf ever made, and with only 300 units coming to SA, it's destined to become a future classic. However, for rational buyers, save the R91,000 and get the regular GTI, or add R21,000 and get the all-wheel-drive Golf R with even more power. The TCR is brilliant but sits in an awkward pricing position that makes it a heart-over-head purchase for true enthusiasts only.
