Volkswagen Golf R Track Spec

Created to evaluate Volkswagen’s possible participation in the new Touring auto Racer worldwide Series (TCR), the Golf TCR concept is less “concept car” than full-blown, ready-to-race race auto.

From a visual standpoint, the Golf R Track Spec features a set of dedicated 18-inch racing wheels as well as a chassis that is 40 cm wider than a standard production Golf. While that was a move necessitated by the increase in wheel width both front and rear, that should also boost the car’s stability some.

Volkswagen has been absent from motorsports in the USA except for some private teams. VW Motorsport is developing the vehicle in co-operation with the sport department at SEAT, meaning it can call on Seat’s experience with the Leon Cup Racer.

So, taking the MQB-platformed, seventh-generation Golf as its base, VW Motorsport director Jost Capito – he of former Ford RS fame – and his team stripped out the insides. Safety components created to protect the driver-racing seat with head protection, racing safety cell, and safety fuel cell-are all in accordance with FIA regulations. If Volkswagen’s evaluation of this concept vehicle is successful, we could see customer cars just like it race in TCR in 2016. In fact, as part of its competitive development – like AMG is doing with its gorgeous AMG GT3 – the Liqui Moly Team Engstler will run two of these monster Golfs at the Red Bull Ring this weekend.