New VW Golf GTI Edition 50 proves scorching pace
Hot lap of the Nürburgring proves half-century commemorative hot hatch more than just a few fancy badgesThe inbound 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 has become the quickest production-based VW to lap the Nürburgring, overtaking the more powerful Golf R.
Building the hype for the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50, which is based on the latest Mk8.5 Golf GTI, the new hot anniversary model clocked a lap time of 7 minutes 46.13 seconds around the 20.8km Nürburgring, making it quicker than the 245kW Golf R 20 Years that set a time of 7:47.31 back in 2022.
Tipped to be unwrapped on June 20, VW execs suggest the gap between the latest GTI Edition 50 could have been even wider, as the record lap was carried out with standing water on some parts of the fearsome street circuit.
It’s not known if Volkswagen will launch another attempt at a Nürburgring hot lap to rob the Honda Civic Type R (7:44.88), but it’s likely.
While full technical details of the new Golf GTI Edition 50 have yet to be released, it’s though the car used for the record lap was close to production specification, albeit fitted with a Performance pack developed for the anniversary model.
The pack comprises a ‘performance chassis’, lightweight forged 19-inch wheels and a set of track-focused Bridgestone tyres developed specially for the car.
It’s thought the Golf GTI Edition 50 will come with a more powerful version of its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with the unit tipped to produce almost 240kW.
Other performance enhancements will be the familiar seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a proper mechanical differential.
“The new Golf GTI Edition 50 is a statement with which Volkswagen expresses the pure GTI idea – the combination of superior drive power and highly precise chassis with front-wheel drive – more effectively than ever before,” explains racer and Volkswagen development driver, Benny Leuchter.
More details are expected to be released in the lead-up to the Golf GTI Edition 50’s debut on June 20.
Related: Volkswagen Golf GTI 2025 Review
Related: 2024 Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 makes official debut
Related: Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years 2023 Review
Related: Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years is the fastest all-paw Golf yet
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