When legends get old, they usually get a cake, a retro photo album and maybe a sentimental tear. But Volkswagen has instead baked a brutally fast special edition for its GTI to celebrate its 50th birthday – the Golf GTI Edition 50. The result? 325 horsepower, a lap time of 7:41.27 on the Nürburgring and the fastest production Volkswagen of all time. Who says a midlife crisis doesn't bring benefits?
Under the hood – or rather, under the hood that competitors will watch from a safe distance – beats a revised version of the proven 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. EA888 evo4This time with 325 HP and 420 Nm of torque. That's only eight horses less than the Golf R, but beware – Golf GTI Edition 50 still uses exclusively front-wheel drive. All power to the front wheels? Sounds like a recipe for smoke clouds at traffic lights, but with a refined seven-speed DSG gearbox and a bunch of engineering tricks, the GTI stays glued to the asphalt.
Acceleration that erases lines – that's also the Golf GTI Edition 50
It accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, a tenth faster than the Clubsport, and to 200 km/h in a mere 16.8 seconds. Top speed? Electronically limited to 270 km/h – apparently the Germans still believe in order and discipline. But the real surprise comes at the Nürburgring, where the GTI Edition 50 completed a lap in 7 minutes and 41.27 seconds. This puts it at the very top of the Volkswagen hierarchy – far ahead of its already slimmer competition.
Styling: Subtly wild Golf GTI Edition 50
Visually, the Golf GTI Edition 500 doesn't scream "look at me" but rather whispers more sophisticatedly: "If you know, you know." With a black roof panel and mirrors, a blacked-out exhaust, a stylish red line along the side and 19-inch black wheels with red details, the car looks like someone in a tuxedo hiding tattoos. The color palette offers a classic, yet exclusive look. Dark Moss Green, which is perfect for drivers with a taste for uniqueness.
A cabin with character
Inside, classic GTI fabric reigns supreme – checkered seat fabric, this time with green accents that subtly nod to the model’s anniversary nature. Red seat belts, dark aluminum details and “GTI 50” logos make it clear that this is not just another Golf.
Performance package: For those who know what they're doing
But the real “sweet spot” comes in the form of the Performance package – for drivers who are not just looking for numbers on paper, but for the feel behind the wheel. The chassis is lowered by an additional 20 mm, stiffer springs and bearings, a more precise steering system and 30 kilograms less weight – thanks, among other things, to forged wheels and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust. Yes, Akrapovič. From Slovenia. For those who like to scream in the corners. And the Bridgestone Potenza Race tires grip the asphalt so confidently that every corner is almost too short.
Price? Probably more GTI than GTI
Volkswagen is still keeping quiet about the price, but if the Clubsport costs a good 49,000 euros in Slovenia, then the Edition 50 is definitely aiming higher – at least up to 55,000 euros, if not more. But hey, exclusivity has its price, especially when it's packaged in a charismatic body and a racing soul with a serious history.
Conclusion: Golf GTI Edition 50
The Golf GTI Edition 50 is more than just a homage. It's a technologically polished middle ground for anyone who ever called GTIs "predictable." It's a car that not only respects its roots, but also takes them into the future at lightning speed. And yes, it's still front-wheel drive - because why have all four wheels having fun when just two can show how it's really done?
