Im waiting for one to get to the dealers to take a look at and hopefully drive before I decide what to change my BMW m135i for but this , the GTI and the R are still options for me.
No doubt there's a mark up on the price for the TCR, but probably not as bad as it seems in some cases. Is it just over £2k for the DSG models?
I really like the wheels and the interior on the TCR and dislike the standard kit on the GTI PP, so would easily eat in to that 2k. Plus a decent increase in power, brakes and a few spoilers etc, for some it won't be too bad a jump and easy to justify.
Horses for courses I think, if you really like the standard wheels and interior on the GTI I guess this looks more overpriced.
From what I can see the GTI, TCR and R are all getting the same discount (on CarWow at least), so no added benefit to them here.
VW have had to create some head room above the GTI PP with the TCR as the flagship GTI so I wouldn't call it mark up, they have tried to create some differentiation with the extent of the package they've created. The question is of course, does that package appeal for the price difference.
Much like you, I wasn't enamoured with the Jacara interior so would have specified Art Velours and with some other options at MSRP, it's around £2.5k but I'm not getting exactly what I want. The only compromise I had with the TCR was the interior where I would have preferred Art Velours but don't mind the treatment they've applied, just would have preferred something a little more restrained but I'm sure I'll like it when I see it.
Not sure I get the comparison between a GTI PP / TCR and R outside of purchase price. The extra traction and acceleration that AWD brings with it gives you a better 0-60 but there is a weight penalty and I have driven a 7.5 R back to back with my Clubsport S and I would take the Clubsport S every single time. Straight line speed versus handling doesn't translate - the CSS feels quicker than it is and while I don't doubt the performance of the R, it feels heavier when thrown around.
I know that the track positioning of the TCR puts some people off for fear that the ride won't be compliant but this isn't an uncompromising RS special from Porsche, it's a mass produced car with a tune and some parts bin add ons. VW is a brand that gets chassis dynamics. I never have the Clubsport S out of 'Comfort' because it's just so good on the UK's awful roads. The moment I put it into race on anything but a mirror like surface, it's crashy and unbearable on most surfaces. I have driven it on excellent quality roads and it's excellent but 95% of the time, it would be too harsh and I couldn't live with it. I expect they will bring the same mindset to the TCR with a comfort mode to increase the appeal.
Some good points here. Interesting thoughts on the CSS ride. Believe it was in comfort setting when it set the ring record. From the videos I saw this morning the interior looks a bit more garish than I though it would but would I have one if I could get one quickly? Yes. Going to be a great car. I still think about changing my order as my R has been delayed again.
The ring record was set in 'Individual' which is basically everything set to race with the exception of the dampers which are in 'Comfort'. VW were not messing about when they went for the record and I recall that they put a cage into the car and having been on the 'ring and seen how Benny Leuchter took that CSS round, it was an utterly fearless lap. I saw him interviewed and got the impression that he had to really fight the car to get that time.
Funnily enough, I didn't really gel with the CSS in the first week I had it, the pedal weights and throw of the clutch took a little adjustment being such a contrast to my other car but pliancy or handling was never in question. I don't see myself ever parting with it and I don't think we'll see another car like it from VW.
I'm really looking forward to comparing the TCR to the CSS. Particularly interesting to see how they feel from a dynamic point of view and the power to weight ratio difference on the road.
