A new chapter of Golf GTI history has begun with the world premiere of the 286bhp Golf GTI TCR Concept. Jurgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, has unveiled the road version of the racing car of the international TCR series of the same name. The premiere took place at the legendary GTI meeting at Reifnitz am Worthersee, Austria.

Jurgen Stackmann said, "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 follow pure sports car doctrine. The power of the 370Nm-strong turbocharged engine is transmitted to the front wheels from only 1,600rpm as standard via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and a locking differential.

The top speed of the standard version will be 250km/h, but this can be increased to 264km/h by opting to remove the electronic Vmax limiter, making this Golf the fastest GTI of the current model range.

Numerous individual features contribute to the particularly sporty character of the new Volkswagen. 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 top Golf GTI model features two extra radiators to ensure sufficient cooling for high engine performance. If desired, particularly enthusiastic drivers can order a package that pushes the performance even further towards the race track.

Besides removal of the Vmax limit and the new 19-inch wheels, it includes an even more dynamic sports chassis and the adaptive chassis control (DCC). It adapts to the characteristics of the electrically adjustable shock absorbers at the touch of a button.

At the front, a newly designed bumper with sharply contoured splitter (front spoiler) identifies the Golf GTI as a TCR version. Also new is the newly designed panel attachment on the side, which is continued to the rear. Here, they join a diffuser and the exhaust system tailpipes.

In silhouette, the 'TCR' lettering above the sills also attracts attention and is optionally customised with an additional decoration in the typical GTI honeycomb design. The Golf has a particularly inviting effect when opening the front doors as the TCR logo is then projected on to the asphalt. The stainless steel sill panel trim is personalised by means of a red illuminated element.

On the inside, the door inserts and gear stick cover have been finished in microfibre. The seat centre sections are in the contrasting colour 'Flash Red', which is the bridge to the red contrasting stitching on the sports steering wheel. That is - just like racing - provided with a red 12 o'clock stripe.