Volkswagen has revealed a racing version of its Golf mainstay that will compete in the Touring Car Racer International Series for the rest of the year while engineers develop the project and VW considers a customer program for 2015.
Why would VW want to do it?
It’s always good publicity for your sportier models to have them on track as long as they win. The interesting thing about the TCR series is that cars have to be close to production spec (wild body kit aside) the gearbox, LSD, engine and intercoolers are all standard, for instance. Racetrack experience will provide a solid foundation for future performance vehicles from Volkswagen.
The engine
The 2.0-litre turbo motor with direct fuel injection comes from the Golf range’s halo model, the R. The racing version of this engine generates 330ps (boosted from 300ps in the road car) and 410Nm of torque.
When will it be racing?
It has already seen some on-track action in Austria, where it won its first race out on 12 July. It will get its next outing at the Singapore GP support race in September.
July 15 2015
