Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR delayed for Australia until 2020

The all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR was scheduled to arrive this month in the country. However, its launch has now been shifted to the second quarter of next year. Volkswagen Australia earlier confirmed that the model will be approaching this year, but the global demand for the vehicle delays the process.

Kurt McGuinness, Volkswagen's local PR, and brand experience manager quoted, "as you can imagine there’s a strong global demand for the car, so we’re still working with the factory at the moment on securing our allocation". 

On the question of total units to be offered in the country, Paul Pottinger, VW's local communications boss replied, “The Australian arm still intends to offer the previously promised run of 300 units, however, which will be the "biggest allocation internationally.”

Volkswagen has still not announced the specs officially, but as per the reliable sources, it is known that the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR drivetrain gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit producing 285 PS of power at 5400 - 6400 rpm and 380 Nm of peak torque at 1800 - 5300 rpm.

Power is sent to the all-wheel-drive system through a seven-speed DSG automatic and a locking front differential. Two extra water radiators are also provided at the upfront to generate additional cooling impact as compared to standard Volkswagen Golf R.

The firm claims the run of 0-100 kmph in just 5.6 seconds, which portrays the vehicle as one of the fastest accelerated front-drive hatchbacks available in the market. The top speed of GTI TCR is clocked at 250 kmph.

The Europe-spec GTI TCR exterior styling appointments include 18-inch 'Belvedere' forged alloys as standard may be upgraded to 19-inch 'Pretoria' or 'Reifnitz' designs, and also brake package can be upgraded with perforated discs  and special brake pads.

Inside the cabin, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR specs include

• A specially-tuned stainless steel exhaust system
• Microfibre/textile upholstery with distinct styling
• Perforated leather steering wheel with red 12 o'clock marker
• Pure Grey exterior paint option with Optional contrasting roof and mirror caps 

In Europe, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance price starts from $47,990 and Golf R hatchbacks price marked with a tag of $54,990. From this, it is expected that the price for the Australian buyers will be lying somewhere close to this.

Also read: Third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan to arrive around 2022