Last year, Volkswagen showed off a lean, mean, racing version of its bread-and-butter hatch called the Golf Race Car concept. This customer racing car is now getting a new name and some visual tweaks to better align it with the hot hatch that made Volkswagen famous: the GTI.
Now called the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, the heavily modified Golf looks mostly the same as the Race Car concept. That means a huge rear wing, large vents and scoops, and a significantly wider stance. But key bits of red trim now adorn the front end, along with prominent, red “GTI” badges in the front grille and on the rear, creating a strong visual link between the roadgoing GTI we know and love and this track-ready version.

There are no changes to the mechanicals of the Golf GTI TCR, as it continues to use a 330-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder that routes its power to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The aforementioned rear wing and an aggressive front splitter optimize aerodynamics, while the stripped-out interior includes a full racing safety cage and a racing seat with head protectors.
Volkswagen Unveils 330-hp Golf Race Car Concept
Instrumented Test: 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI DSG Automatic
Volkswagen Golf Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Photos, Reviews, and More

If you’re looking to snap up one of these hard-core GTI racers for yourself, you’re out of luck. All 20 examples have already been sold to teams for the FIA’s 2...