Volkswagen is marking 50 years of the Golf GTI with its fastest version yet—the new Golf GTI Edition 50. This special edition of the updated Mk8.5 has officially become the quickest Volkswagen around the Nürburgring, beating the previous record held by the Golf R.
Clocking a time of 7 minutes and 46.13 seconds, the GTI Edition 50 outpaced the Golf R by more than a second. The lap was completed on its first and only attempt under challenging weather, using a near-production-ready version of the car. That performance highlights how well the new upgrades work together.
Volkswagen has yet to reveal full technical details, but it’s confirmed that the Edition 50 will offer a Performance Package. This bundle includes significant improvements to the chassis, semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza tires developed specifically for the GTI, and forged 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels that reduce rotational and unsprung mass. VW test driver Benny Leuchter credited the Performance Package as being crucial to achieving the record time.
Exterior updates are also part of the package. The Edition 50 features new aerodynamic elements such as additional front bumper details, an extended trim piece above the lower grille, and a sharper fin design near the front end. The body kit has been finished in black for a more aggressive appearance, while the front light bar now glows white instead of red. Though rear shots are limited, a larger rear wing appears to be fitted.
Official power figures have not yet been released, but expectations point to a modest boost over the standard GTI’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For comparison, the GTI Clubsport model produces 296 horsepower and cuts 0 to 62 miles per hour to just 5.6 seconds, thanks to stiffer springs, dampers, lighter brakes, and a performance exhaust system. The Edition 50 is likely to feature similar enhancements.