Golf GTI TCR Is Volkswagen's Hot Hatch At Its (Very) Best
While it鈥檚 getting ready to launch the all-new Golf Mk8, Volkswagen has also introduced the Golf GTI TCR that鈥檚 based on the current generation of its best-selling hatch. With the 400R not happening after all, this is quite likely the swansong of the seventh-gen Golf. And it鈥檚 one of the best front-wheel drive hot hatches currently on the market. Competing with the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and Renault Megane RS, the Golf GTI TCR is supposed to be the road-legal version of VW鈥檚 touring car. In all fairness, it鈥檚 probably closer to an improved and more powerful GTI Performance and the successor of the GTI Clubsport. Aided by the punchy engine and other upgrades in the oily bits, the Golf GTI TCR needs 5.6 seconds to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph). It tops out at 250 km/h (155 mph), but Volkswagen claims top speed can optionally be increased by 10 km/h (6 mph). We already talked about the exterior and interior updates of the car, which set it apart from the Golf GTI Performance. However, you can check them out in detail by watching the following video, which also highlights the turbo-four soundtrack and shows it accelerating to almost 150 km/h (93 mph) from a standstill. The footage ends with some track action, so don鈥檛 forget to turn up the volume before hitting the play button.
Florida Fine Cars has everything! I was allowed to take the car to my own mechanic and have them inspect it! We ended up working a great plan! It's like Chic Fil A for cars! It's been really nice trying to find a new car. I've actually bought one previous car; my sister bought a car and everyone here is really nice! As soon as we saw it, we knew we had to buy it. Low miles, great price and LOVE the way it looks! He didn鈥檛 push, which I liked. Most dealerships, they push you. He was real nice, real helpful, and knew a lot. Everything鈥檚 been easy. If you鈥檙e looking for a good deal come on over here. We鈥檙e VERY happy with the prices. They have a huge inventory. Any person who鈥檚 thinking about purchasing a car can come here! It's our first purchase here and hopefully won't be our last. Everybody here is very courteous. Great service. All the Salesmen were professional. I think it's great! I would definitely recommend Florida Fine Cars!
Golf GTI facelifts are a relatively uncommon thing, but we like what Volkswagen has done with the pocket rocket that has been around for nearly 42 years. It might not be the sharpest, most mental car, but no other hot hatch blends comfort and value so well. Like the rest of the family, the GTI underwent a bit of nip and tuck. I don't know why they are calling it a 2017 car when it's not going to reach European dealerships until at least March. However, VW USA didn't even announce the facelift, so it might be a 2018 or later. We're going to talk about the specs in a moment. But first, let's examine the styling because we have been bombarded with photos and video footage. Presumably, this cool little 3-door is a base 230 PS model, because the 245 PS one with the Performance Pack is not ready. We say "presumably" because it has the wheels from the Clubsport, which are a very nice touch.
From the from, the new features are immediately visible because the headlights look like they have double hockey sticks, just like all the concepts Volkswagen has been showing. The system is full-LED instead of bi-xenon like before. Also, the GTI has fake side air intakes that actually end in fog lights. The back end still has the same old exhaust setup, but designers have introduced 3D taillights with a pulsating indicator. There are plenty of hot hatchbacks that offer a digital dash, not necessarily a 12.3-inch screen like the 2018 GTI, but still entertaining. The interior of the new GTI houses a new 9.2-inch Discovery Navigation Pro infotainment system which can be specced. It can be operated with gesture controls, and yes, it's freaking expensive to option. The brakes are going to be another letdown feature for hardcore track users. Priced from 鈧?9,975, the manual GTI facelift will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds and move on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The DSG version is 鈧?,000 more expensive without being any faster on paper.
BERLIN, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Volkswagen said profitability could take a hit this year as the carmaker invests billions of euros in electric vehicles (EVs) and launches a raft of new models. Europe's largest automotive group, which reported record 2017 earnings on Friday, said it expected a return on sales for 2018 of between 6.5 and 7.5 percent before special items, after reaching 7.4 percent last year. 284.13 billion) by as much as 5 percent. 30 billion in charges and fines. The German group set aside another 600 million euros in the fourth quarter in provisions for higher legal risks and vehicle buy-backs related to the emissions scandal, raising 2017 provisions to 3.2 billion euros. In total, VW has now put aside 25.8 billion euros to cover fines, compensation and vehicle refits, of which nearly 20 billion have so far been paid out. The Wolfsburg-based carmaker is known for taking a conservative stance when it comes to its outlook for profitability, but analysts were still disappointed. Bankhaus Metzler analyst Juergen Pieper who has a "buy" recommendation on VW shares. VW shares fell after the results and closed 0.8 percent lower at 162.60 euros.
