VW Golf GTI TCR Prototype to debut next week in Austria

Wörthersee — the premier Volkswagen GTI meetup in the world — starts in just a few days in a small town in Austria. The event has been embraced by both Volkswagen and its fans.

We usually end up seeing some pretty sweet concept cars like a Porsche-powered VW Type 2 or the bonkers mid-engine VW GTI W12. This year, we'll see the new VW Golf GTI TCR Prototype, a near-production ready hot hatch that goes into production this fall.

The name comes from the GTI TCR race car. The production version is powered by a turbocharged inline-four making 286 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. That's just six horsepower shy of the VW Golf R but 20 fewer ponies than the GTI Clubsport S. Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. Traction is kept in check thanks to a mechanical limited-slip differential. The car's top speed is 250 km/h, though the limiter can be removed and the top speed raised to 263 km/h.