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Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR

Meet the Volkswagen Golf GTI that's the price of a Porsche

Volkswagen has unveiled its contender for the 2017 TCR touring car championship.

IT’S ALREADY KNOWN for being one of the best hot hatches around, but now there’s a Golf GTI with even more power, bigger wings and a €90,000 price tag.

Say hello to the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR; a track-only car that has been developed by Volkswagen Motorsport to compete in various race series all over the world.

It might still resemble a regular Volkswagen Golf but the TCR is very different from the road car. Under the lightweight bonnet, complete with huge air intakes, is a highly-tuned version of the Golf R’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. With power output increased to 326hp and a six-speed sequential gearbox sending power to the front wheels, that wider track helps to keep things balanced on the circuit.

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The aggressive aero kit consists of enlarged air intakes at the front with noticeably wider wheel arches. At the back there’s a specially designed diffuser and rear wing to boost downforce at higher speeds.

Volkswagen Motorsport has already supplied five of the 20 examples planned to be produced for this coming season. It will compete against the like of the SEAT Leon, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Honda Civic, with the TCR season due to kick off in early April.

If you’re thinking you fancy having a Golf GTI TCR for yourself then you’ll need to get in line with €90,000, before you add in taxes.

READ: Honda set to return to form with new Civic Type R >

READ: The Arteon is the new premium tourer from Volkswagen >