Look, I'm not going to be able to tell you how it drives, only that the new VW Golf GTI TCR has landed in Mzansi and that you can buy it for R669,000. That's ten grand less than the Hyundai i30N. Which latterly, is still a Hyundai hatchback versus what is the most powerful Golf GTI.
I can also tell you that South Africans love special editions, no less so in a Golf. And this is the last one for the current (Mk7) generation which is both novel (good) and frustrating (bad) when you consider that the Mk8 exists elsewhere in the world. Nevertheless, the TCR makes a mega 213kW and 380Nm which translates into a 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds, and a delimited top end of 264kph.
You get Dynamic Chassis Control to rein it in, with power being sent to (the front) 19-inch Reifnitz alloy hoops, named after the Worthersee village where VW's loyalist and aficionado gather each year. You can have yours in Pure White, Pure Grey or Tornado Red with TCR logos and honeycomb decals on its flanks and projected from its mirrors. Even the velour seats get TCR detailing and there's a sports steering complete with red stripe at 12 o' clock.
Buy one of just 300 individually numbered GTI TCRs and VW will give you a TCR branded cap and keyring as well as an ownership certificate. So that's nice.
VW Golf GTI TCR Specs:
| Price | R669,000.00 |
| Engine | 2.0l inline 4-cyl, turbocharged |
| Power | 213kW |
| Torque | 380Nm |
| Driven Wheels | Front |
| Gearbox | 7-Speed DSG Auto |
| 0-100kph | 5.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 264kph |
The Golf GTI TCR comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 5 year/ 90 000km Volkswagen Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.
