Volkswagen unveils Golf GTI Edition 50

MANILA: Volkswagen has unveiled the Golf GTO Edition 50 in front of a large crowd in Germany. 

Finished in a red Tornado paint, the hot hatch was presented to enthusiastic fans on the Ringboulevard by Volkswagen Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing, and Aftersales Martin Sander and race car driver Benny Leuchter. 

Production of the exclusive, special model is expected to begin in Wolfsburg by the end of 2025. The targeted delivery date will be in the first quarter of 2026. 

“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,” Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Thomas Schäfer said. 

It is said to be the fastest and most powerful production GTI Volkswagen has ever built. A pre-production unit was able to set a new record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife previously with a lap time of under eight minutes, with Leuchter behind the wheel. 

“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,” he added. 

Performance figures 

Under the hood of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine mated to a seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox automatic transmission.

Below are its performance figures: 

Maximum power output (in horsepower)	320
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters)	400

Its chassis is also refined and adapted to the high power. At the fore is a MacPherson front axle, complemented by a four-link axle at the rear. 

Optional GTI-Performance package 

Volkswagen will offer an optional GTI Performance package with a Performance chassis. 

The natural frequency at the front and rear axles has been increased by around 20 percent, resulting in better support characteristics, a more direct response, and a lower tendency to roll and pitch. 

Also featured are adapted suspension mounts to optimize the response time for dynamic excitation. 

The package also comes with 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tires from Bridgestone with 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels as well as a lightweight Akrapovič  R-Performance exhaust system with a titanium rear silencer. 

Exclusive anniversary equipment 

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 will come with exclusive appointments all around. 

Its exterior boasts unique trims like a GTI 50 logo on the roof spoiler and the insides of the exterior mirrors. There are also exclusive accents on the door sills, a floor with black paintwork, black side mirrors, and black tailpipe finishers.

A striking side stripe highlights the color gradient from black to Tornado red to underline the sporty character of the hatchback. 

Inside, it gets red seatbelts, sporty seats with a check pattern, and a line in Racing Green synthetic velour elements, which the company said “create a high-quality ambiance with a Motorsport touch.” 

It also gets integrated paddle shifters on the multifunctional leather sports steering wheel finished with a GTI 50 logo. 

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport powered by ‘innovative fuel’ 

The day after the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 was unveiled, a Golf GTI Clubsport powered by innovative fuel — consisting of 60 percent renewable raw materials — competed in the AT3 Class of the 24-hour race at Nürburgring. 

Driven by Leuchter, Johann Kristoffersson, Heiko Hammel, and Nico Otto, the hatchback finished 24th overall out of the 135 participating vehicles. 

“The 24-hour race provided a great stage for celebrating the world premiere of the Golf GTI Edition 50 and then gave the Golf GTI the chance to prove itself in the famous ‘Green Hell.’ GTI and the Nürburgring simply belong together,” The Volkswagen boss commented in a different press release. 

“Thank you and congratulations to our team from Max Kruse Racing for all the preparation work and the excellent result. The spectators experienced a true festival of motorsport here,” he added. 

Also read: 

Volkswagen Wolfsburg facility celebrates 50 years of Golf production

Volkswagen Golf turns 50

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