Following the launch of the Golf GTI Clubsport in 2016 celebrating the hot hatch's 40th anniversary, Volkswagen has announced a new special edition Golf GTI is coming. Set to make its world debut at the upcoming GTI meeting in Worthersee on May 9, the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR is essentially a street-legal version of the track-only TCR racer. Power will be provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine that produces a hefty 286 horsepower from 6,800 rpm and a peak torque of 273 lb-ft from 1,600 rpm.

The unit will be mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox offered as standard. A front axle differential lock will also be available as standard. For comparison, the Golf GTI TCR racer packs 345 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. In standard spec, top speed will be limited to 155 mph, but this can be increased to 164 mph if you ask VW to remove the electronic Vmax limiter. This will make the unrestricted version two mph faster than the more powerful Clubsport S. As a result, the TCR will become the fastest Golf GTI Volkswagen has ever produced, although it will still be less powerful than the range-topping Volkswagen Golf R.

The Golf R has 20 more horses and 22 lb-ft of extra torque extracted from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. 0-62 mph takes 4.6 seconds, so expect the Golf GTI TCR to take around 4.7–4.8 seconds. Shown in teaser sketches, the Golf GTI TCR features an aggressive rear diffuser flanked by round dual exhaust pipes. It also appears to have full LED taillights and rides on a large set of five-dual spoke wheels. The car shown next week at the event will be in near-final production form, but we won't have to wait too long for it to go on sale as Volkswagen says the Golf GTI TCR will launch at the end of this year.