Latest news with #GTI50
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Volkswagen celebrates Golf GTI's 50th early with special Edition 50
Besides the regular GTI, the 50 Edition also becomes the most powerful Golf GTI ever made with power than the GTI Clubsport and the same torque figure as the Golf R. Edition 50 has officially become the fastest and most powerful Golf GTI ever made. Image: Volkswagen Ahead of its 50th anniversary celebration next year, Volkswagen officially debuted the commemorative Edition 50 of the Golf GTI this past weekend on the eve of the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. The most powerful GTI ever made, and the fastest to have lapped the 'Ring with a time of seven minutes 46.13 seconds, the GTI Edition 50 retains usage of the same 2.0 TSI engine as the standard GTI and Golf R, but with the same drive unit as the Golf 8.5 GTI Clubsport. Mechanically otherwise unchanged, the result is a power output of 239 kW, 44 kW more than the normal Golf 8.5 GTI and six kilowatts down on the R, and torque rating of 420 Nm. The latter representing an increase of 50 Nm over the standard GTI and matching that of the R, the GTI Edition 50 will get from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 270 km/h. More powerful than the Clubsport, whose 221kW/400Nm had been the most of any GTI until now, the Edition 50 continues to send its amount to the front axle only via a seven-speed DSG. Unsurprisingly, a series of extensive revisions have taken place underneath. These include a 15 mm ride height drop, retuned steering, reprogramming of the Dynamic Chassis Control system and a revised XDS electronic front differential. As an option though, the GTI Performance package goes a step further by adding an additional five millimetre ride height drop for a total of 20 mm compared to the standard GTI, 19-inch Warmenau forged alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza semi-slick tyres that weight eight kilograms less each than the normal wheels, and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system that reduces weight by a further 11 kg. Externally, the easy-to-spot changes consist of gloss black finishes on the door sills, gloss black mirror caps, GTI 50 logo on the outer blades of the roof spoiler, black exhaust outlet tips, Tornado Red detailing on the wheels and a black stripe at the base of the doors that fades to red. Inside, the unique touches comprise red seatbelts, a GTI 50 logo on the base of the steering wheel, check pattern red, white and green imitation Velour-trimmed seats, GTI stitch work on the front seatbacks, a gloss black centre console, GTI 50 treadplates and red alloy pedals. In total, the GTI Edition 50 will be offered in five colours; Pure White, Grenadilla Black, Moonstone Grey and two exclusive hues not offered on the standard GTI, Tornado Red and Moss Green. Now available for ordering with deliveries starting from the first quarter of 2026, the Golf 8.5 GTI Edition 50 is unlikely to be offered in South Africa anytime soon as a result of the country's poor quality currently prohibiting the launch of the normal GTI and R until at least 2027.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Volkswagen debuts a Golf GTI anniversary special with more power than ever
Volkswagen has unveiled a limited-run Golf GTI Edition 50 at the Nürburgring 24 Hours This 50th anniversary edition is the most powerful GTI ever built with 321 bhp Its upgraded 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes as much torque as the AWD Golf R The GTI Edition 50 rides on 19-inch Queenstown alloys with a red glaze finish Check product page It has GTI 50 logos all around with a blacked-out roof, mirror caps and tailpipe trims The optional Performance package brings a titanium exhaust from Akrapovic The driver gets a newly designed leather-wrapped steering wheel with a GTI 50 logo The sport seats remain unchanged with the familiar synthetic velour accents Production will start at end of 2025 with deliveries to commence in 2026 To learn about the Golf GTI... Click Here
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Volkswagen Golf GTI gets a limited-run anniversary edition with more power
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is the fastest VW-badged production model to lap the Nürburgring and the most powerful GTI model to date. Check Offers The Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 has recently been unveiled, and the German automaker has debuted this 50th anniversary edition at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. This special version is the most powerful GTI-badged car, boasting nearly as much performance as the all-wheel-drive Golf R. It comes with an upgraded engine, revised chassis tuning, and new cosmetic elements for a sportier look. The limited edition of our favourite hot hatch is fitted with a more powerful iteration of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-four engine. While it makes 245 bhp in the India-spec GTI (and 262 bhp in the Euro-spec), the anniversary special hikes the power output to 321 bhp. This brings it closer to the Golf R's 329 bhp output, while torque figures are identical at 420 Nm. Also Read : MV Agusta Superveloce 1000 Ago is a limited-edition 208 bhp tribute on two wheels The GTI Edition 50 features a 7-speed DCT and sprints from a standstill to 100 kmph in 5.5 seconds. This makes it faster than both the standard GTI and the Clubsport models. While the Golf R with its AWD system does make the sprint in 4.6 seconds, the Edition 50 is the fastest Volkswagen production model to lap the Nürburgring. Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50: Performance Pack Interested buyers can further choose to opt for the optional Performance package, which adds an extra two degrees of negative camber and 20 per cent stiffer springs. While the anniversary model is 15 mm lower than the regular GTI, the Performance package further lowers the car by 5 mm. The Performance Pack additionally offers 235-section Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres which help cut understeer, 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels borrowed from the Golf R, and a titanium exhaust from Akrapovic. Suggested watch: FIRST LOOK: Volkswagen Golf GTI For India | Specifications, Features and Interior Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50: Design and interior The anniversary model features multiple GTI 50 logos all around the exterior with blacked-out elements such as the roof, mirror housings, and tailpipe trims. There is also a unique side stripe that runs along the car's side skirts with a gradient that goes from black to Tornado Red. The GTI Edition 50 rides on 19-inch Queenstown alloys with a special red glaze finish. Out of the available five colour options, Tornado Red is the most significant owing to its reputation for being offered with all high-performance VWs since the late 1980s. Changes inside the cabin are minimal, with red seatbelts and dark anodised aluminium door handles. There are additional GTI 50 logos inside, including one on the newly designed leather-wrapped steering wheel. The sport seats remain unchanged with the familiar chequered pattern and synthetic velour accents. It is important to note that features such as a heads-up display and navigation still come as optional extras. Also Read : We've driven the Golf GTI at NATRAX. Here's our review) Volkswagen has confirmed that production for the Golf GTI Edition 50 will commence towards the end of 2025. Deliveries are scheduled to begin from the first quarter of 2026, which marks the start of the anniversary year. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 21 Jun 2025, 14:00 PM IST
TimesLIVE
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Everything you need to know about the new VW Golf GTI Edition 50
Volkswagen has unveiled its new Golf GTI Edition 50. Built to celebrate the German hot hatch's golden anniversary, it is the fastest and most powerful production GTI model to date, thanks to a specially tuned 2.0 l four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 239kW and 420Nm of torque. It comes paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The Edition 50 rides 15mm lower than the standard GTI and is available with an optional Performance package that drops the chassis an extra 5mm lower to the asphalt for even better cornering characteristics. Ticking this box also gives you higher spring rates, adapted spring mounts, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system and 19" 'Warmenau' forged wheels shod with newly developed Bridgestone 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres. The latter, according to VW, are 1.1kg lighter than a standard tyre. On the outside, the Edition 50 differentiates itself from its lesser GTI sibling with a black roof, black exterior mirror housings and black exhaust tailpipe finishers. Other exclusive garnish includes a GTI 50 logo on the roof spoiler and insides of the exterior mirrors, special trim on the door sills and a side stripe on the side members with a colour gradient from black to Tornado red. Five striking exterior colours are on offer: Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Dark Moss Green Metallic and Tornado Red. The cabin features a racier ambience with sport seats upholstered in a check pattern that pays homage to the original GTI that broke cover in 1976. Other tasty mods come in the form of red seat belts and a multifunction leather sports steering wheel with a GTI 50 logo. Though VW hasn't dropped any official performance figures, it has confirmed that the Edition 50 set a lap time of 7:46.13 seconds around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with racing driver Benny Leuchter behind the wheel. That's quicker than Leuchter's previous record in the 245kW Golf R '20 Years' edition in 2022 by just over a second, and more than three seconds faster than his 2016 lap in the GTI Clubsport S (228kW). Impressive stuff. Production of the Golf GTI Edition 50 will begin at the end of 2025 with first deliveries expected to commence at the start of its anniversary year from the first quarter of 2026.
Miami Herald
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Golf GTI Edition 50 Becomes VW's Fastest Car At Nurburgring
Volkswagen has proved yet again that it's one of the hot hatch authorities, with its new Golf GTI Edition 50 setting a new record for production VWs around the Nurburgring. Referred to as a "near-production test vehicle" by VW, this special GTI set a time of seven minutes and 46.13 seconds. That surpasses the time of seven minutes and 47.31 seconds set by the Golf R 20th Anniversary edition, a time achieved in 2022. Unlike the all-wheel-drive Golf R, the GTI sends power to the front wheels only, yet it's always remained fun to drive despite its FWD setup. The record-breaking time was set across the 12.9-mile route of the course, and an even quicker time of seven minutes and 41.27 seconds was achieved over the slightly shorter 12.8-mile stretch. The GTI 50 was not quite able to dethrone the Honda Civic Type R, which remains the FWD hot hatch king. The hottest Civic completed the 12.9-mile lap in a time of seven minutes and 44.88 seconds. Although we don't know if this GTI improves upon the normal GTi's 241 horsepower, it's highly unlikely to match the Type R's 315 hp, which is more Golf R territory. Still, the GTI 50 gets close, thanks to an optional Performance package with lightweight 19-inch semi-slick Potenza Race tires from Bridgestone. These are wrapped around lightweight forged wheels, which lower unsprung and rotating masses. A performance-tuned chassis is also part of this package, which was equipped to the GTI that completed this latest effort at the Green Hell. Benny Leuchter was behind the wheel of the GTI Edition 50 for this run, and was left blown away by the car. He was a good choice for the job, having driven the Golf GTI Clubsport S for the brand's first lap record nearly a decade ago. He did the same in the Golf R 20 Years in 2022. "The entire setup of the Golf GTI Edition 50 means you can drive the ideal line of the Nordschleife with high precision," said Leuchter. "If you really want to be fast on the track known as the 'Green Hell', the car also has to compensate for the typical bumps in the ground and reach very high cornering speeds. This is exactly what the Golf GTI Edition 50 achieves in perfection. The aplomb with which it masters the peculiarities of the legendary Nordschleife is cool: the GTI is instantly stable over the entire 20.8 kilometers." Leuchter said he would never have believed he could beat the Golf R's lap time in a FWD GTI. A full reveal of the record-breaking GTI Edition 50 is set for June 20. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
