By Paul Gover.
Times are changing for the Volkswagen Golf.
An all-new generation of Golf is on the way, a little later than expected thanks to Covid, and will be arriving in the first half of next year.
The Golf 8 is a re-generation, not a re-invention, of the classic German hatchback that has flourished since the 1970s.
It promises more refinement and comfort with extra technology, but its days could be numbered in Australia.
Volkswagen Australia reports that more and more Golf buyers are looking instead at small SUVs, a trend that is happening across the showroom map.
It has its own contenders now for SUV shoppers, the T-Roc and T-Cross, and is expecting a massive surge in sales in the next couple of years.
The good new for the T-cars is bad for the Golf, not just in Australia but around the world, and it’s not just the Volkswagen hero that is taking a hit. It’s the same for all compact cars, known as the A-Class category, including long-time favourites like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
So the smart car companies are changing focus.
The Corolla is being re-purposed and re-focussed as a hybrid hero, while the Civic is being given a sporty twist with more emphasis on the Type R hottie.
It’s the same for the Golf, with the GTI and R models taking a growing role.
They could eventually be the sole survivors in Australia, defending the go-faster high ground while the regular Golf surrenders to the surge in SUVs.
And that brings us to this week’s road test contender, the Golf GTI TCR.
It’s the latest in a series of limited-edition versions of the GTI and R, and it’s also the last.
The TCR nameplate is inspired by the TCR racing series for hot turbo hatchbacks, where the Golf has been a winner in Europe and also in the Carsales TCR Australia championship.
The mechanical package is much as always, with a turbocharged 2-litre engine and front-wheel drive, sports wheels and tyres, and a cabin with chequered-pattern cloth trim on sports seats.
The TCR comes with ugly decals on the side – although they would come off quickly – a power upgrade to 213 kiloWatts, adaptive sports dampers, 19-inch alloys, slightly different aero additions and a six-speed – down from seven in the regular GTI – DSG gearbox.
VW claims a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds, which is genuinely quick, and the car always responds like a state-of-the-game hot hatch.
The steering is direct with instant feedback, the brakes are powerful – and better than I remember from the regular GTI, although that could be down to grippier tyres – and it has plenty of punch in every gear.
The price premium for the TCR is $4300 over the regular GTI, but it’s a limited-edition model and it does have extra kit.
It also comes with the bop-bang exhaust theatrics that are expected in this class, although it’s not as offensive as some of the boy racer cars.
The headlights deserve special mention, as the LED package in the nose – completely with automatic dipping and shaping of the beam for different conditions – is just plain excellent.
I’ve been spoiled lately by the Mercedes-AMG A45, which has the advantage of all-wheel drive, but still the TCR is an engaging and rewarding little pocket rocket.
As a way to say goodbye to this generation of Golf, it’s a hit.
THE BASICS
Volkswagen Golf TCR
Price: from $51,490
Power: 213W/350Nm
Transmission: 6-speed DSG, front-wheel drive
Position: limited-edition hot hatch
Plus: quick, comfy, rewarding
Minus: silly stickers on the side
THE TICK: of course
Score: 8/10
