VW Golf GTI Edition 50 is the most powerful production GTI yet

Volkswagen introduced its most powerful production GTI of its 50 year history at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race this weekend.

After 2.5 million Golfs produced and in time for its 50th birthday next year, the Golf GTI Edition 50 is a celebration of one of the most popular hot hatches of all time. According the VW, the special edition will focus on ‘driving pleasure’.

Nürburgring lap

Ahead of its public debut, professional racing driver Benjamin Leuchter took the Golf GTI Edition 50 for a spin around the Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack, setting a time of 07:46:13 minutes, making it the fastest ever lap completed there in a production Golf.

“For me, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the most precise and sporty Volkswagen I’ve ever driven,” said Leuchter.

“It reminds me a lot of the Golf GTI Clubsport S from 2016. However, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 has been systematically enhanced once again. Because it’s so intuitive and precise, I have a lot of confidence in the car and can really push it to the limit.”

Engine & optional performance package

Why such speeds at the Nürburgring? This is down to the 50th Edition’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which has been modified from one used in the Golf GTI Clubsport, resulting in a 60bhp increase in output - 320bhp and 420 Nm of torque - compared to a standard GTI.

The extra oomph helps the Edition 50 accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, 0-124mph in 16.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 168mph.

The anniversary model also sits 15mm lower than the basic configuration, while a MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear axle form the basic layout. And for an even sportier performance, Volkswagen will offer the optional GTI Performance package with Performance chassis exclusively for the Golf GTI Edition 50. This lowers the car by a further 5mm, increases the frequency by 20% at the front and rear axles for a more responsive drive and comes with size 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres from Bridgestone on 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels. The tyres are 1.1kg lighter per tyre than the standard set, while the Akrapovič titanium exhaust system saves a further 11 kg of weight.

Exterior

Special exterior touches have been applied to the anniversary model, including a GTI 50 logo on the roof spoiler and the insides of the exterior mirrors. Elsewhere, a special trim on the door sills, a roof with black paintwork, black exterior mirror housings and black tailpipe trims on the exhaust system give it that extra pop.

Colour options

There is the choice of five exterior colours for the Golf GTI Edition 50.

Pure white, Moonstone grey, and Grenadilla black metallic are joined by Dark Moss green metallic (exclusively for the anniversary model) and Tornado red. Many high performance Golfs since 1986 have worn Tornado red, including the Golf II GTI 16V, the Golf III VR6 and the Golf VII GTI TCR.

Interior

Inside, the anniversary model comes with red seat belts, sporty seats with a check pattern and a line in Racing Green to underline its sporty credentials. A newly designed leather sports steering will has a trim with the GTI 50 logo and integrates shift paddles for the seven-speed DSG.

When will the Golf GTI Edition 50 be released?

Production of the Golf GTI Edition 50 will begin in Wolfsburg, Germany, at the end of this year, with customer deliveries set for the first few months of 2026. Prices are yet to be confirmed, although it is expected that the anniversary model will cost around £45,000.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Volkswagen