Meet the Fastest, Most Powerful Volkswagen Golf GTI in 50 Years
Midlife crisis? Oh, please. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is 50 years young and in the best shape of its life. The automaker today announced a new Edition 50 model that proves to be the most powerful and fastest in five decades. The only problem: it's aimed at the European market only.
Like many other sportier Golf GTIs, such as the Clubsport, this one won't be making the jump to North America. Nonetheless, we thought we should tell you about this car, because its 321 horsepower come dangerously close to matching the Golf R’s 328 horsepower. Peak torque is even identical at 310 lb-ft.
- Also: Pricing Announced for Updated 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R
- Also: Canadians to Be Denied Extra Power With 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI
The standard 2025 Golf GTI, remember, generates 241 horsepower as far as we’re concerned but 262 horsepower across the Atlantic (a difference attributable to emission standards), along with 273 lb-ft of torque. The GTI Edition 50 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds instead of 5.9, which of course is still a long way from the AWD-equipped Golf R (4.6 seconds), but the fact that it weighs over 100 kg less could produce surprising results on a long track.
That’s exactly what happened in April. Volkswagen test and development driver Benjamin Leuchter lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:46:13 minutes—the fastest time ever for a production Golf on the circuit known as the ‘Green Hell’. He even said afterwards that the Golf GTI Edition 50 was the most precise and sportiest Volkswagen he’s ever driven.
Volkswagen engineers have fitted adaptive dampers as standard, lowered ride height by 5 mm, and recalibrated both the electronic limited-slip differential and steering. For those who'd like to have some serious fun on the track, a Performance package firms up the springs by 20 percent, adds 2 degrees of negative camber to the front wheels and reduces understeer with Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tires, which are fitted to 19-inch Warmenau wheels from the Golf R. An Akrapovic titanium exhaust is also included, for a total weight reduction of 30 kg.
Aesthetically, the new car stands out with “Edition 50” badging, a black roof and mirror caps, a unique side stripe and a red-glazed finish for the 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels. Buyers can choose between white, gray and black, as well as two colours not available on other GTIs including Dark Moss green and Tornado red.
Inside, the red seat belts, the sporty seats with check pattern, a line in Racing Green and the synthetic velour elements create a high-quality ambience with a motorsport touch. The newly designed multifunction leather sports steering wheel features trim with the GTI 50 logo, too.
Jealous? We sure are. In case you’re wondering about pricing for the 2025 Golf GTI in Canada, click on the link to learn more.