► Golf GTI marks its 50th birthday
► Most powerful GTI ever
► Revealed at Nurburgring 24 hour race
Volkswagen has marked 50 years of its legendary hot hatch with the reveal of the Golf GTI Edition 50 at the Nurburgring 24 hour race.
The latest in a long line of celebratory GTI special editions every five years, VW will begin production of its most powerful GTI ever later this year to make sure that customers get their cars in early 2026 – 50 years after the original Golf GTI debuted as a skunkworks project. Half a century later, more than 2.5 million have been produced across eight generations. Here’s everything you need to know about the Edition 50.
The Edition 50 is based on the Golf GTI Clubsport, using the 2.0-litre EA888 engine, but now gets power levels closer to that of the Golf R. Compared to the Clubsport’s 297bhp and 295lb ft of torque, the Edition 50 puts out 321bhp and 310lb ft.
There’s no word on performance figures, but expect a 0-62mph figure of around five seconds and a top speed capable of 166mph with the optional GTI Performance package. As with every new Golf GTI, there’s no manual gearbox, a seven-speed DSG is used instead.
It’s not a coincidence that VW decided to reveal the Edition 50 at the Nurburgring 24-hour race, as it’s the quickest production Golf to have ever gone around the Green Hell.
Lapping the Nordschleife in a time of 07:46:13 minutes with racing driver Benjamin Leuchter at the wheel, it’s three seconds faster around than the Clubsport S.
After his drive, Leuchter said: ‘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.”
The Edition 50 isn’t just about more power, though, with VW tuning its DCC adaptive dampers, adjusting the front differential lock and tuning the steering.
An optional ‘GTI Performance’ package is also available, with lowered suspension and higher spring rates. You also get Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slicks, which are said to be a ‘brand-new’ development, and are 1.1kg lighter than regular rubber. An Akrapovic exhaust system is also available, saving a further 11kg.
You do indeed, and VW has well and truly run with the red GTI theme. There are red seatbelts, upgraded sports seats in the classic check pattern and a redesigned sports steering wheel with a GTI 50 logo. Even red pedals!
Two new colours are also available exclusively on the GTI 50 – Dark Moss green and Tornado Red, the latter synonymous with GTIs across the years. There are various logos dotted across the car, too, including on the spoiler and insides of the exterior mirrors. They also come with a black roof and door mirrors, with a black-finished exhaust system
There’s no word on production numbers, but as with most previous anniversary models, we expect production numbers to be capped, albeit not to the rarity levels of the Mk7 GTI Clubsport S, of which just 400 were produced.
Expect a healthy premium over a GTI Clubsport’s £43,215 starting price, though VW says it hopes that cars ‘can be delivered to customers promptly for the start of its anniversary year in the first quarter of 2026’.
VW has produced a special edition version of its Golf GTI every five years since the ‘20 years of Golf GTI’ Mk3 edition back in 1996. In previous years VW coincided with the reveal of these editions with the unofficial GTI festival in Worthersee, though the event was cancelled in 2023.
The Golf GTI Clubsport S is one of the most noteworthy, being a stripped-out, two-seater version and perhaps the most track-focused road-going Golf ever. Prices for these can still easily fetch upwards of £40,000.
Senior staff writer, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer.
By Ted Welford
Senior staff writer at CAR and our sister website Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny
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