12 hours ago
The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is its fastest-ever car around the ‘Ring
Hot Hatch
It's slam-dunked on the Golf R by over a second, thanks to an upgraded chassis, tyres and aero kit Skip 5 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Volkswagen is celebrating half a century of the Golf GTI next year with this legacy-surfing Edition 50 of the Mk8.5, which is now officially its fastest-ever car around the Nürburgring.
The lap time (7m 46.13s) was over a second quicker than the current Golf R (7m 47.31s)... awks. And it was set by a near-production-ready version of the Edition 50 on its first and only attempt, due to poor weather conditions. Impressive.
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Changes are being kept hush for now, but we do know a Performance Package will be offered, which brings improvements to the chassis and semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza tyres developed specifically for this car.
Forged 19in lightweight alloys are supplied too, reducing unsprung and rotating mass - ideal for sharp cornering. According to VW test driver, Benny Leuchter, the Performance pack was a "decisive" factor in hitting that record time. You might like
Other differences include extra attachments for the front bumper, a sleek extension to the trim above the lower grille and a sharper fin just ahead of it. The body kit gets a black finish for an angrier look, and the connecting light bar between the front lamps has changed from red to white.
No proper rear images have been provided, though we can spot what appears to be a slightly extended wing back there.
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Technical info is also being held back for now, but we're expecting a slight increase to the standard GTI's 261bhp/273lb ft from its front-biased 2.0-litre turbo-four.
The Clubsport version itself gets a power bump to 296bhp, cutting three-tenths off the 0-62mph time to 5.6s. Plus, a suite of other mechanical changes like stiffer springs and dampers, lighter brakes and an Akrapovic exhaust. Because Akrapovic exhausts are necessary in every hot Golf driver's life. Expect the 50 Years to tread the lines closely here.
More details are set to follow at the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race next week, but in the meantime, check out the video of the GTI Edition 50's run out at the Green Hell above.
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