Latest news with #Edition50
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
VW Golf GTI Edition 50 sets new Nürburgring record
VW hasn't revealed exact power figures for the Edition 50 just yet, but the German carmaker has confirmed it will be the most powerful GTI ever put into production. The car will make its public debut at the Nürburgring 24-hour race on June 20 before going on sale in 2026 — exactly 50 years after the GTI nameplate was born. Buyers will be able to spec the car with an optional Performance pack, which adds a sport-tuned chassis, lightweight forged 19-inch wheels and a set of specially developed Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres. 'My record-setting car was equipped with this package,' says Leuchter. 'That was the decisive factor, in my opinion. Three years ago, I wouldn't have believed a front-wheel-drive GTI could beat the lap time of the brilliant Golf R — but now it has. And in less-than-ideal weather, too. That says everything about the set-up and the incredible potential of this GTI.'
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
This is the most powerful VW Golf GTI ever
Volkswagen has been known to whip up some exciting special edition GTIs to mark anniversaries – and the German brand has produced something particularly enthralling for the model's 50th birthday. Called the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50, the upcoming model will officially be the most powerful GTI ever, and the fastest VW around the Nürburgring, beating the latest all-wheel-drive Golf R. Advertisement - Article continues below Driven by Volkswagen's professional in-house racing driver Benny Leuchter, it posted a time of 7:46.13 seconds, just over a second faster than the previous lap record in the limited-edition Golf R 333. To make up for the traction loss of the rear axle, the new Edition 50's chassis and powertrain must have a set of pretty tasty upgrades. No specific technical information has been revealed so far, but VW has confirmed the highest ever engine output for a production GTI. As such, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine will be uprated to in excess of the existing GTI Clubsport's 296bhp, possibly butting up against the latest Golf R's 328bhp. No GTI has had so much power since the stripped-out, 306bhp GTI Clubsport S of 2017 – a model that VW has modelled this new Edition 50 on. Yet extra power isn't the only thing that yields a fast time on the 'Ring, so alongside the more powerful engine, we suspect there's been a range of chassis upgrades, plus tuning changes to the limited-slip differential and the addition of a set of sticky track day-focused tyres. From the limited images released, it's impossible to make out any major changes to the styling compared with the existing GTI Clubsport, but we expect a new set of 19-inch wheels could be on the cards, plus a lower stance thanks to a more focused suspension set-up. We'll have to hold on a little longer to find out all the specifics in detail, as the new Edition 50 will be launched in public at this year's Nürburgring 24 hours race next week. But if it's even half as brilliant as the former GTI Clubsport S, it'll be worth the wait. Fancy having VW's iconic hot hatch on your driveway? Check out the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI deals ...
