Volkswagen debuted the Golf GTI EDITION 50 at the world-renowned Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race. This special edition, launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the GTI, is not only the most powerful GTI on the market, but also breaks Volkswagen's lap record at the "Green Hell" - the Nürburgring Nordschleife. German racing driver Benny Leuchter drove a nearly production version of the GTI EDITION 50 and completed the 20.8-kilometer track in 7 minutes 46.13 seconds, becoming the fastest VW car on the market ever.
Leuchter described the GTI EDITION 50 as a car that "expresses the soul of the GTI more thoroughly than ever before": powerful power, precision chassis, and pure front-wheel drive, all three are combined almost perfectly. The new car will be available with the Performance Package, including:
• Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tires
• Lightweight 19-inch forged wheels
• Improved shock absorbers and chassis settings
These elements significantly reduce unsprung and rotating masses, further improving handling feedback and cornering limits. Leuchter said: "This set of accessories is the key to my record-breaking performance." It is worth noting that the lap time this time includes a distance of about 200 meters between the starting point and the finish line; if compared fairly with previous records, the actual lap time can be compressed to 7 minutes 41.27 seconds, which is nearly 6 seconds faster than the four-wheel drive Golf R 20 Years! This achievement is particularly exaggerated because the Golf R is a high-performance four-wheel drive version, while the GTI EDITION 50 can beat it with just front-wheel drive, proving that its chassis settings have reached a new level.

As a test driver who has driven many Golf performance versions, Leuchter emphasized: "To be fast on the Nordschleife, it is not just about horsepower, but also about having a chassis response that can withstand ups and downs and pressure." The performance of the GTI EDITION 50 far exceeded expectations, and it was as stable as a rock in high-speed corners, jump sections and continuous changes of direction. He added: "Even if the weather was not ideal that day, this GTI still gave me great confidence to push every corner. Its adaptability to the characteristics of the track is almost perfect."
Currently, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is still in the early testing stage of the Pre-Series and is expected to be officially launched in 2026 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the GTI. By then, it will surely become a hot item for performance fans, GTI loyalists and brand enthusiasts.

Looking back, Volkswagen challenged the Nordschleife for the first time in 2016 with the Golf GTI Clubsport S, with a lap time of 7:49. In 2022, the Golf R 20 Years was improved to 7:47. This time, the GTI EDITION 50 once again pushed the front-wheel drive performance to the limit, officially breaking the brand record, and allowing car fans around the world to witness the evolution of GTI's strength.
GTI is the youth totem of a generation of car fans and the embodiment of VW's sports spirit. After half a century of evolution, it not only keeps the core of "driving pleasure", but also refreshes the track limit with the latest technology and engineering strength. This EDITION 50 is not just a commemorative edition, but more like a declaration to the world - GTI, there are many possibilities. If you think the ceiling of front-wheel drive cars is fixed, this Golf GTI EDITION 50 will severely break your cognition.

Categories: vehicles