Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI going on sale in Germany in 1976 following its world premiere in 1975. To celebrate the occasion, the German automaker is presenting the new Golf GTI Edition 50, the most powerful production Golf GTI to date.
Under the bonnet, the Edition 50 gets a modified version of the engine used in the Golf GTI Clubsport. Instead of 300 PS (296 hp or 221 kW), the commemorative model packs 325 PS (321 hp or 239 kW), which is also a lot more than a regular Golf GTI that has 265 PS (261 hp or 195 kW). Meanwhile, peak torque is up by 20 Nm compared to the Clubsport to hit 420 Nm (regular Golf GTI offers 370 Nm).
Other powertrain changes worth mentioning include a ride height that is 15 mm lower than the basic Golf GTI and an optional GTI Performance package. The latter further lowers the car by five mm while introducing higher spring rates, which also sees the natural frequency at the front and rear axles increased by around 20%.
According to Volkswagen, this results in better support characteristics, a much more direct response and a lower tendency to roll and pitch. The optional package also includes adapted suspension mounts, 19-inch ‘Warmenau’ forged wheels and 235/35 Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres.
Each wheel weighs eight kg, which is three kg less than the standard 19-inch wheel, while each tyre is 1.1 kg lighter. Volkswagen also notes it worked closely with Bridgestone to ensure the Potenza Race rubbers provide more grip with less rolling resistance. To trim even more weight, there’s an optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust system to save a further 11 kg.
Along with a host of suspension revisions, the Edition 50 lapped the Nurburgring in a blistering 7:46:13 minutes, a new record for any production Volkswagen, with racing driver Benny Leuchter behind the wheel of a near-production test vehicle of the Edition 50. The company’s previous best time around the track 7:47:31 minutes, also set by Leuchtner in a Golf R in 2022.
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As for the aesthetics, the Edition 50 has the ‘GTI 50’ logo on its roof spoiler as well as the insides of the side mirrors. There’s also special trim on the door sills, a black-painted roof, black side mirror housings, black tailpipe trims and side stripes with a colour gradient from black to Tornado Red. The Edition 50 can had in either Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black and two exclusive options: Dark Moss Green and Tornado Red.
Inside, you’ll find sport seats with check pattern, a line in Racing Green and synthetic velour elements. The Edition 50 also comes with red seatbelts, a newly designed sports steering wheel with ‘GTI 50’ at the bottom spoke and integrated shift paddles for the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels.
Pricing for the Edition 50 will be announced later on, and deliveries will start from the first quarter of 2026 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Golf GTI’s first market launch decades ago.
