Upcoming VW Golf GTI special is faster around 'Ring than Golf R
The upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 has become the quickest production-based VW model to lap the Nürburgring – surpassing even the more powerful and track-honed Golf R.
The special iteration of the hot hatch – based on the current Golf GTI Mk8.5, which is widely expected to be the final pure-combustion GTI before the badge moves into the electric era – lapped the 12.94-mile Nordschleife circuit in 7min 46.13sec.
The lap was set a little over a week before the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours, where the GTI Edition 50 is planned to be officially unveiled on 20 June.
While the special Golf won't reach UK showrooms until 2026, it has already made headlines by eclipsing the time set by the Golf R 20 Years – and has edged the Golf closer than ever to the 7min 44.88sec front-wheel-drive Nürburgring lap benchmark set by the Honda Civic Type R in 2023
In beating the four-wheel-drive Golf R 20 Years – a 328bhp anniversary model that set a time of 7min 47.31secc in 2022 – the new front-drive GTI Edition 50 has now leapfrogged what was once considered Volkswagen's halo performance Golf model.
The GTI Edition 50's lap time was achieved by Benny Leuchter, VW's long-standing development and race driver. Speaking to Autocar after the run, Leuchter revealed that conditions were far from ideal.
'We ran in a very small window of opportunity after hours of rain,' he said. 'It was partly wet. The Fuchsröhre was particularly treacherous, and there was standing water on many other parts of the circuit.'
Full technical details of the Edition 50 remain under wraps but the Nürburgring car was fitted with a Performance Package, which included Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slicks on 19in forged Warmenau wheels and a revised suspension set-up. These components are expected to be optional extras when the car goes on sale in late 2025.
Power output hasn't been confirmed, but it's understood the Edition 50 will produce close to 320bhp from its familiar turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA888 petrol engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Leuchter emphasised that the car he drove wasn't a one-off. 'Technically, it was set up exactly as it will be sold to customers,' he said.
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