Volkswagen heads to the racetrack with the Golf GTI TCR

Volkswagen has revealed the new Golf GTI TCR, the racing version of the Golf GTI that is set to compete in the TCR touring car championship this year. The production-based Golf GTI TCR embodies racing genes, and features an uprated 330bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a sequential gearbox and a racing chassis that is roughly 400mm wider than the production Golf. 

Volkswagen Motorsport developed the car in cooperation with the sport department at SEAT. This made it possible to call on the extensive experience gained with the SEAT Leon Cup Racer. As with the Volkswagen Group's production cars, the MQB platform also offers many synergies when it comes to racing cars. 

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director, said, "The Golf GTI TCR allows customer sports teams to partake in reasonably-priced motorsport with a Volkswagen. Furthermore, the teams can expand their motorsport commitments innumerous TCR championships, both at national and international level. We are providing them with a car that is ideally suited and prepared for this purpose: the Golf has not only made an outstanding impression at tests, but also shown its great potential in competition. We are delighted by the high demand for the car among customer sports teams, which confirms that we are doing a good job."

All 20 Golf GTI TCR customer sports models for the 2016 season have already been snapped up.