Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 Celebrates 50 Years of GTI Power
Volkswagen unveils the Golf GTI Edition 50 at the 24-hour Nürburgring race, honouring half a century of GTI heritage. Production is scheduled to begin in Wolfsburg late 2025, with deliveries set for early 2026, ensuring enthusiasts greet the anniversary year behind the wheel. At 239 kW (325 PS), the Edition 50 becomes the most powerful production Golf GTI ever built, eclipsing every predecessor.
More than 2.5 million Golf GTIs have thrilled drivers worldwide, and the Edition 50 sharpens that legacy. “For 50 years, the GTI has stood for more than just performance, precision and driving pleasure at Volkswagen: it is a way of life that unites our fans all over the world – and an essential element of what makes us so strong as a brand,” says Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen Brand CEO. “With the fastest and most powerful production model to date, we are celebrating half a century of GTI passion. One thing is for sure: GTI will naturally live on in the future, without any compromises.”
Chassis chief Sebastian Willmann calls it “our fastest and most powerful GTI to date,” crediting an optional Performance package, newly tuned DCC sports suspension, a finely adjusted front differential lock and progressive steering for sharper dynamics. He adds, “We have incorporated our experience from fifty years of GTI development into the optional Performance chassis… and made the driver’s experience even more enjoyable.” Semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres, 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels, and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust shed kilograms while boosting grip and response. Increased spring rates and a 20 mm lower ride height give the Edition 50 poise through corners.
Professional racer Benjamin Leuchter proved the setup by lapping the 20.832 km Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:46.13 during April 2025 testing, the fastest time for any production Golf. “For me, the Golf GTI Edition 50 is the most precise and sporty Volkswagen I’ve ever driven,” he enthuses. “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… I can push it to the limit.”
Volkswagen installs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder derived from the Golf GTI Clubsport. Internal refinements raise power from 221 kW to 239 kW and torque to 420 Nm, a 60 PS and 50 Nm gain over the standard GTI. A MacPherson front and four-link rear layout underpins the car, sitting 15 mm lower than the base model even before the Performance pack’s extra drop.
Inside, red seatbelts, chequered sport seats with a Racing Green line, synthetic velour, and a multifunction leather steering wheel bearing the GTI 50 logo create an authentic motorsport vibe. Shift paddles for the seven-speed DSG gearbox keep the driver engaged. Exterior cues include GTI 50 logos on the roof spoiler and mirror housings, black roof and tailpipe trims, and a side stripe fading from black to Tornado Red. Buyers can specify Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Dark Moss Green Metallic or Tornado Red, the historic hue that has signified high-performance Volkswagens since 1986. In every colour, the Golf GTI Edition 50 embodies five decades of hot-hatch passion while pushing the legend forward.
