GTI 162 kW, GTI 169 kW, Clubsport, Clubsport S, and now, TCR. That is the history of the Golf 7 (and facelifted 7.5) GTI – with the TCR taking the iconic nameplate to Level 5 in seventh-gen form. It also represents full and final lockdown for the Golf 7.5; as the Golf 8 (yes, with a GTI version) is already waiting in the wings…
Derived from the racing car of the same name and two-time overall winner of the international TCR racing series, only 279 units of the Limited Edition GTI TCR will be available and can now be ordered at local Volkswagen dealers. The retail price is stated at R669,000 – just R36,000 less than the 228 kW Golf R.
The final version of the Golf 7 range which has sold 40,128 units in South Africa since 2013, will only be available in 5-door form in South Africa, and only in three colours: Pure White, Tornado Red and Pure Grey.
So, what distinguishes the TCR from the 195 kW GTI Clubsport and 206 kW GTI Clubsport S? Well, it is more powerful, with its 2.0-litre TSI engine delivering 213 kW and 380 Nm of torque – making it the fastest GTI to date, as the TCR with 6-speed DSG reaches 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds (compared to 5.8 seconds for the Clubsport S). Its standard Vmax also increases maximum speed from 250 km/h to 264 km/h.
The TCR, first shown locally at the 2019 Festival of Motoring, also comes standard with black 19” Reifnitz alloys, perforated disk brakes, matte black exterior mirror caps, sill extensions, front splitter, TCR roof spoiler and a rear diffuser.
Inside, Alcantara door inserts and on the gear lever, premium Alcantara sport seats with GTI TCR detailing with a new fabric design as well as floor mats with black and red stitching further accentuate the TCR. Additional interior features include climatronic air-conditioning and red ambient light strips and an exclusive sports steering wheel.
LAST WORD
The TCR also features standard technology such as Dynamic Chassis Control including driving profile selection, Active Info Display, Parallel Park Assist and LED headlights. It comes with a unique number under the GTI logo at the rear of the car and a personalised ownership certificate.
The recommended retail price of R669,000 includes a standard Three-year/120,000 km warranty, a five-year/90,000 km Volkswagen Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. With only a limited number earmarked for South Africa, get to your dealer quickly, as this Limited Edition GTI will become a sought-after collectors’ car – no doubt about that…
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © VW SA
