VW Golf GTI-TCR: Only For The Racetrack

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VW Golf GTI-TCR: Only For The Racetrack
VW Golf GTI-TCR: Only For The Racetrack

Video: VW Golf GTI-TCR: Only For The Racetrack

Video: VW Golf GTI-TCR: Only For The Racetrack
Video: YouTuber vs. Racedriver - GTI TCR Racetrack Battle🏁 2024, March
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65 percent of all components are identical to a normal production model. Nevertheless, the VW Golf GTI-TCR is not allowed to take part in everyday traffic - and that's a good thing.

This golf roars. Hoarse. Uninhibited. Loud - and after just one press of the red start button on the steering wheel. Definitely nothing for the trip to kindergarten, supermarket or work. The most expensive variant of the most popular compact car is not allowed to go there anyway. The GTI-TCR will never get approval for road traffic - not even in the 2018 version, which is available for testing on the racetrack in Vallelunga, Italy. Too low, too high emissions, too little pedestrian protection, too many protruding add-on parts, too few safety systems … to name just a few insurmountable obstacles.

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That doesn't bother the master of super golf, however. After all, Eduard Weidl should only plant the winning gene in the most exclusive variant of this VW on one track: on the world's race tracks. And that's where the head of the TCR project at Volkswagen Motorsport has sustained success. The reigning champion of TCR-International is his customer, and the Golf is also extremely successful in national racing series according to this standard.

Strict regulations for TCR vehicles

As early as the first lap on the circuit north of Rome, the racer shows why that is so: the 420 Newton meters from the two-liter turbo kick into the back milliseconds after the police stick-sized silver handbrake is released and catapult the driver towards the first corner. It's good that the tires are preheated. Like the brakes, they have to deliver maximum performance in order to keep the white-and-red racer on course. The carbon rear spoiler, which is shaped like a sideways ironing board, helps.

The driver himself quickly breaks a sweat - not only because the GTI-TCR has been robbed of all its comfort features. Only a blower blows a little cooling in the face when you press a blue button on the steering wheel. Hans-Joachim Stuck doesn't need the button. The racing legend chases the second car past the normal driver so easily that the question arises whether it has a few extra horsepower under the hood. No, forbidden … all vehicles in the TCR series are very closely aligned according to the regulations: the displacement must be between 1750 and 2000 ccm. A turbocharger creates additional pressure. In addition, all TCR racers have to be based on production models that have been sold at least 5,000 times worldwide within twelve months - carbon bodies that only imitate the design of the series, so they are prohibited.

350 PS for the GTI TCR

The Golf GTI TCR costs at least 115,000 euros. Photo: VW
The Golf GTI TCR costs at least 115,000 euros. Photo: VW

“Our bodies come from normal production - 65 percent of all parts are like in every Golf GTI,” says project manager Weidl. Even the engine is not changed. The 350 hp (the most powerful street Golf has 310 hp) are essentially only achieved through other air filters and engine controls.

Even expensive lightweight construction orgies would be of no use: All TCR racing cars are neutrally tested before the start of the season - differences in engine power, gearshift or aerodynamic performance are compensated for by additional weights or interventions in the engine management. A minimum weight of 1285 kilograms for TCR vehicles including the driver is mandatory, and the maximum width of the cars is 1.95 meters. With the same wheelbase, the TCR variant has 40 centimeters more track width than the production GTI.

VW Golf GTI TCR from Martorell

Volkswagen will produce just a little more than 30 of the current Golf VII style face-lifted variant of the GTI TCR in the coming year - for comparison: the factory halls in Wolfsburg are spitting out around 1000 Gölfe; per day.

But this Golf does not roll out of the main factory onto the racetrack anyway: Just like its sister models from Seat and Audi, the VW is also built by the Group's specialists at Seat in Spain for the motorsport teams. “One day there are ten Audi RS3 LMS, the next ten Seat Leon TCR and then our GTI TCR in Martorell,” says Eduard Weidl.

At least 115,000 euros for the Golf GTI TCR

No comfort elements in the interior of the Golf GTI TCR. Photo: VW
No comfort elements in the interior of the Golf GTI TCR. Photo: VW

Inside, the cars can only be distinguished by the remains of their dashboards pierced by the safety cage. Otherwise bare metal sheets, full bucket seats and a button-studded steering wheel in Playstation style rule everywhere. Same parts - like the platform on which the three models stand as standard. This helps to keep the costs for the customer teams under control. The maximum price is prescribed anyway. The GTI-TCR with sequential gearshift starts at 115,000 euros net. There is also a variant with DSG - which, however, does not play a victorious role in racing. The last ounce of torque to be tickled out of the gearbox is missing. This 95,000 euro vehicle (net) is therefore more likely intended for reporters, fans or customers who are enthusiastic about racing. Only half a dozen of the around 50 racing Golfs built so far are equipped with it.

For the first encounter with the monster golf, however, the switching aid is very helpful. “The GTI TCR is quite a challenge to drive,” says Hans-Joachim Stuck. Because the VW, in contrast to the neutrally designed Seat and the rear-biased Audi, is significantly more front-heavy. Because it is slightly higher than its sister company, it has slight speed disadvantages on fast straights, but it can go into corners more nastily - if the driver a la Strietzel Stuck can do it. The sporty normal handlebars take it a little easier. Otherwise there is a latent risk of being overtaken by your own rear when exiting a curve. There are no ESP, ABS or other traction aids as in the series GTI. Your own responsiveness is the only assistance system. Less brings more. Even the door opener is only a dummy in the GTI-TCR. A weight-saving yellow loop to pull the door open must be enough. Those who do their laps in this golf do not want to use it anytime soon. (SP-X)

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