The Volkswagen Golf R and GTI TCR glow red-hot: both test mules are running laps at the Nürburgring

Following the arrival of the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf, many of us quickly began fantasising about the future performance variants of the same. The people in Wolfsburg have accustomed us to the fact that, with the launch of a new Golf, its corresponding hotter versions follow. The GTI was the first to make an appearance, but a leak made us aware that the TCR and R badges would also feature in this eighth generation, and its test mules confirm it once again.

Indeed, several cameras have captured the prototypes of the Golf GTI TCR and the R running at high speed over the asphalt of the Nürburgring, the birthplace of much of motoring history and a testing centre for numerous brands. For now, Volkswagen maintains a deafening silence regarding these two highly anticipated versions, but thanks to the aforementioned leak we can anticipate certain details.

In the case of the Golf GTI TCR, we can expect a sharper, more aggressive GTI focused on the circuit, with more aggressive styling and better tuning. We do not know the technical details, but everything points to the same 2.0-litre TSI engine that powers the standard GTI being present in this version, delivering 300 CV.

In the case of the Golf R, it is to be expected that the brand’s engineers will apply more effective aerodynamics, represented by a pronounced rear spoiler and a more prominent diffuser that will house a quad exhaust outlet. As far as mechanics go, we would be talking about the same engine but with 330 CV, a figure that could rise with a possible R Performance variant.

The test mules already show a significant level of development, having shed any possible camouflage. With this in mind, we can assume that it will be fairly soon before we learn all the details of both variants of the German compact, whose respective presentations have been delayed due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19.

https://youtu.be/lZzIO4Fn7BY

In this way, Volkswagen is about to complete the Golf family in its eighth generation, a generation whose unveiling has also been affected by the circumstances we are currently living through. Either way, the Golf R and GTI TCR are here to stay, and very soon we will learn every last detail of each of them.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €