Golf GTI TCR Coming to South Africa

Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR

Those of you who are avid Motorists will recall that when we had the Golf GTI Clubsport on test some two years ago, we were all rather fond of it. Sure, it lacked the sniper-precise front-end of the Honda Civic Type-R and all-out track focused nature of Renault’a then aged Megane R.S 265, but as an all-round package and daily driver, the Clubsport really took some beating. It was rather special, too, when one considers that only 58 were bought into South Africa. In fact, Sam has one. Its red, and we love it.

Just this week at the Festival of Motoring, held at Kyalami Racetrack, Volkswagen South Africa announced that they will be bringing 300 Golf GTI TCR’s to Mzanzi. Yes, it’s another limited edition Golf GTi, but this is somewhat of a final hoorah for the long in the tooth but still completely wonderful Golf 7.

213 kW and 370 Nm from the familiar EA888 2.0-litre motor is sent to the front wheels with the TCR being touted as the fastest GTI ever, blitzing the 0-100 km/h dash in just 5.6 seconds.

Visual differentiators from the standard GTI are a whole lot of black things, namely the wheels, roof-spoiler, mirror caps and the front splitter. It also has ‘TCR’ decals on the rear doors.

Pricing and local specification hasn’t been confirmed but it’ll supposedly be priced at less than R700 000 when it arrives on local shores during the first quarter of 2020.

Will it be as special and exciting as the Clubsport? We are excited to find out…