Summarize

Volkswagen has always managed to keep its Golf GTI a little more special than the rest. Right from the very beginning when the very first GTi was introduced back in 1976 to the 16V ten years later and then the special R32 early in the New Millennium 2002, through  the various renditions of the Golf R to the stripped down Edition 35 and most recently the Clubsport S, to mention a few.

Now VW has taken the initiative to be the first SA car company to launch a new model post-Covid-19 and it has done so with nothing less that the very latest über-Golf GTI TCR. That of course also allows the South African motoring media finally wipe the sweat of concern over our future off our brows as invisible VW suits who knows where trotted their ‘all-new’ Golf GTI TCR out through a well attended cyber launch via Skype. 

A cool car indeed, but even better to finally be reporting on new cars again!

Let’s get one thing straight out the box — this is not the all-new Golf Eight — that only releases next year anyway — this one is more the last blast for the existing 7.5 GTi. The street machine is spun off the ethos of the Golf TCR race car and while it is nothing new on an international scale, complications around the homologation of right hand drive versions, as well as ultimately Covid-19 saw the local launch delayed to now. If that matters.

Based on the standard Mk. 7.5 GTI, the 213kW 380Nm Golf TCR comes with VW’s almost seamless 6-speed DSG double-clutch transmission driving the front axle, as well as perforated brake discs and driver profile selectable Dynamic Chassis Control with Parallel Park Assistance. They promise zero to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds with an unrestricted 264 km/h top end to continue that impeccable tradition of highly pedigreed special edition collectors über-Golfs. 

Golf GTI TCR comes to SA as a 5-door in white, red or grey and will be set apart a set of black 19-inch Reifnitz alloy wheels LED headlights, TCR front and rear splitters, sill extensions, a roof spoiler and a rear diffuser and matt black wing mirrors. Add that all-important unique numbered label under the GTI tailgate logo and even pool lighting to project a TCR logo is onto the threshold road when the front doors are open, while the owner gets a personalised certificate of ownership.

Step inside to be greeted by exclusive red centrelined sports steering wheel and seats with a  new fabric design in an Alcantara-rich cabin featuring GTI TCR detailing on the floor mats with black stitching and red ambient lighting. Climatronic air-conditioning and Active Info Display is standard alongside all the expected high GTI specification and tech. 

But the best thing about Golf GTI TCR has be its price — seems that part of it certainly has been worth the wait because at just R669K for supercar performance and all the trimmings complete with a 3 year/120000km warranty, 5 year/ 90000km Volkswagen Service Plan at 15000km intervals and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty, that has to be one of the finest performance bargains of recent times.

Pending the ultimate effect of Covid-19 on production, 300 examples of the street TCR have been allocated South Africa from July and VW is has already opened up its order books for the car through a TCR page due up any time on vw.co.za. Or visit your local VW dealer to spec your car as soon as lockdown restrictions allow.