Golf GTI TCR

[Trevork86]

Hi, hope everyone’s keeping well during these exceptional times.

I’m in the market for a TCR, love the car ( a lot) but after driven the Civic Type R - I’m deliberating which one to go for.

Previously owned a MKV GTI - which was easily the love of the family. Never owned a performance Honda before.

I’m interested in the technical specs of the TCR however it is very difficult to research, the Aust version appeared to have been de-tuned like the South African models and is only offered with the 6 speed dsg instead of 7 speed. 350nm vs 380nm to its European cousins.

Does anyone know where can I find more technical specs info for the TCR including:

-whether it has improved cooling compared to the normal GTI;
-the specs of the “performance front brakes”;
-the specs of the DSG; and
-the specs of the differentials(is it the same as the GTI?)

Thank you in advance!

[tigger73]

Brakes on the TCR are same spec as Golf R (upgrade over GTI)

DSG is 6 speed DQ250 - the "old" box but according to some it's a better match to the engine power-band with the gearing.

Pretty sure it gets the LSD same as the GTI Performance

In terms of cooling I'd imagine it gets the bigger intercooler (same as Golf R) as it's using the Golf R engine.

[Lucas_R]

Yes the TCR is a bit of a parts bin special. I believe the brakes are the same as the GTI Performance/GTI 40 years edition/Golf R with the larger front disks (340mm) and larger front single piston caliper. Rear brakes are the same as regular GTI.

LSD is the same as the GTI Performance/GTI 40 years edition which is an electronically controlled LSD.

I thought the GTI and R both had the same intercooler but I might be wrong. So not sure what the TCR has intercooler wise, but dare say it will be the same as the Golf R.

Cant comment on why they use the older 6 speed DSG, but can only comment (owning a GTI Performance with the same gearbox) is that the gearbox is has pretty tall gearing and you certainly don't need anymore than 6 gears unless you live your life on the freeway at 110kph. Around town I rarely go past 4th gear otherwise it just revs so low and there is no power that low.

[tigger73]

Golf GTI TCR

TCR runs the 310mm ventilated rear discs same as Performance and R. GTI gets the solid 300mm rear rotors.

Intercooler sizes are different- not massively but the R intercooler is a slightly thicker core.


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[Trevork86]

Thank you. Have you ever driven a Civic Type R, what do you think about both cars?

[Lucas_R]

TCR runs the 310mm ventilated rear discs same as Performance and R. GTI gets the solid 300mm rear rotors.

I stand corrected - I forgot the normal GTI has solid rear disks.

Thank you. Have you ever driven a Civic Type R, what do you think about both cars?

No I haven't driven one, but heard they are a very good car. Personally I couldn't stand looking at one as they are just all over the place styling wise. I quite like the front end, but then the side profile and rear is just a lesson in what not to do from a styling point of view. But the styling is subjective of course, just because I don't like it doesn't mean other people feel the same way.

On the same topic, many people find the Golf's styling too tame and therefore boring. In saying that, the TCR adds some nice visual upgrades in the styling department.

[tigger73]

Thank you. Have you ever driven a Civic Type R, what do you think about both cars?

I think what you'll find is the Civic Type R is a one trick pony. It'll be hard and aggressive all the time.

The good thing about the TCR is that although it's not quite as raw as the Type R it can be driven "normally" as well.

I haven't driven the Type R - just going on journo write-ups but I did take a TCR for a short spin the other day and it reminded me of my old Scirocco.

[minke]

Hi, hope everyone’s keeping well during these exceptional times.

I’m in the market for a TCR, love the car ( a lot) but after driven the Civic Type R - I’m deliberating which one to go for.

Previously owned a MKV GTI - which was easily the love of the family. Never owned a performance Honda before.

I’m interested in the technical specs of the TCR however it is very difficult to research, the Aust version appeared to have been de-tuned like the South African models and is only offered with the 6 speed dsg instead of 7 speed. 350nm vs 380nm to its European cousins.

Does anyone know where can I find more technical specs info for the TCR including:

-whether it has improved cooling compared to the normal GTI;
-the specs of the “performance front brakes”;
-the specs of the DSG; and
-the specs of the differentials(is it the same as the GTI?)

Thank you in advance!

I own MY20 GTI. I've own MK6 GTI and I get to drive approx 150 different cars a year.

I had a TCR the other week for a day and put 700km on it and it was phenomenal. Best hot hatch ever!. Best implementation of the 6 speed DSG across any of the VAG models. The worse part about the car is the stupid stickers!

I think the highlight for me what full, part or no throttle and swapping cogs mid corner on tightening or opening bends it doesn't upset the chassis. Very Porsche PDK feeling (nowhere near as fast of a shift) hold gears high in the rev range when in sport mode.

The weird part is if you wash wide you have to open the throttle to activate the diff and it tightens the line

you won't be disappointed

[Trevork86]

Thanks Minke - will probably try and have another go in the TCR to be able to judge its performance. I was quite impressed with the CIVIC TYPE R(looks aside) and was happy to give my left foot a work out which I haven’t done in 10 years.

I do love the practicality and the personality of the TCR but hesitated if the car was more of a market ploy than a real performance model ( being detuned, having less torque than a standard GTI etc.)

Do you have any intel on the latest drive away price for a TCR?

[tigger73]

Do you have any intel on the latest drive away price for a TCR?

I don't think dealers will be discounting these that much if at all. Though there are definitely a few demo cars around which you may be able to negotiate a better deal on.

[genebaby]

Are people forgetting that the current GTI is the Performance of old, it has the R's brakes and 7spd gearbox as standard.

The TCR's brakes are only different in that the rotors are dimpled or slotted.

VW didn't give us the 6spd because it's the best and they love us, they did it for cost cutting reasons, ie, they could get away with it in our country due to lax emissions standards. Look at Europe for what the TCR should be, 7spd gearbox and more power.

Remember they said the GTI needed the 7spd when they upped it to 180kw, and now the TCR is ok with the 6spd?

Until we get stricter emissions standards here we can continue to get cut down versions of what is available elsewhere.

Sometimes that works in our favour, ie, not getting PPF in our new cars as they won't give us those engines as they don't need to.

For me, the TCR was on my radar and red is my colour of choice but with the 6spd and no electric leather seats I went for the regular GTI.

[guitar1234]

I've had my TCR for about a week now and I have to say its fantastic.

I was initially looking to purchase a regular Mk7.5 GTI, but I already had a large list of mods that I wanted to fit. Buying the TCR meant that I didn't need to spend money on mods on top of the purchase price of a new vehicle, plus risk voiding my warranty.

[Trentm]

I've had my TCR for about a week now and I have to say its fantastic.

I was initially looking to purchase a regular Mk7.5 GTI, but I already had a large list of mods that I wanted to fit. Buying the TCR meant that I didn't need to spend money on mods on top of the purchase price of a new vehicle, plus risk voiding my warranty.

Pics? 👌

[guitar1234]

Excuse the terrible quality, I haven't stopped driving this thing long enough to get a decent photo

[Dutch77]

If you're just wanting a weekend drive and you are blind, then Civic is the pick.

Otherwise you'll probably find the TCR fits the bill nicely. Difference between it and a stock GTI is night and day and is definitely the car to buy - in fact it's definitely the pick of the final run Golfs if driving is your thing.

You will definitely be able to negotiate on the TCR, you'll just need to pick your dealer and do a bit of work.

Alternately you can save a heap and get a better looking car, with more credentials than the stickers by buying my ED40 and having plenty left over for some track day rubber, mods and other things in life.