Volkswagen has set a new internal record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife with the Golf GTI Edition 50. The upcoming special edition of the Golf GTI - which commemorates 50 years of the hot hatchback - carved through the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 46.13 seconds, making it Volkswagen’s fastest production model to lap the iconic German circuit.
- VW Golf GTI Edition 50 beats Golf R 20 Years and GTI Clubsport S around Nurburgring
- Golf GTI Edition 50 optionally gets semi-slick tyres, forged wheels, chassis upgrades, etc
- It's powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DSG
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 Nurburgring lap record
The Golf GTI Edition 50’s 7:46.13 lap was recorded on the full 20.8km layout of the Nurburgring Nordschleife, but the hot hatch also clocked a quicker 7:41.27 on the shorter 20.6km layout. This version of the Nordschleife omits a short straight segment, and was the default configuration used for most prior lap records.
Rather amazingly, the Golf GTI Edition 50 even outpaced the more powerful, all-wheel drive Golf R 20 Years Edition (7:47.31, 20.6km layout) and the track-focused Golf GTI Clubsport S (7:49.21, 20.8km layout) around the Nurburgring. The Golf GTI Edition 50’s record-breaking Nurburgring lap was set by Benny Leuchter, Volkswagen’s longstanding development and race driver.
Not the quickest VW around the 'Ring overall
It’s also worth noting that while the Golf GTI Edition 50 is the quickest road-legal Volkswagen around the Nurburgring, it still trails the ID.R, a 680hp track-only electric prototype that clocked a 6:05.336 Nordschleife lap in 2019, and continues to hold the German carmaker’s all-time record at the circuit.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 engine and gearbox
Although full specifications surrounding the Golf GTI Edition 50 have yet to be disclosed, Volkswagen has confirmed that the test car was a near-production version equipped with an optional Performance Package, which includes lighter 19-inch forged Warmenau wheels, Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres, revised suspension, and tweaked chassis settings.
May output 324hp
The Golf GTI Edition 50 is powered by Volkswagen’s familiar 2.0-litre EA888 turbo-petrol engine, which is expected to develop around 324hp in this spec - nearly 60hp more than regular Golf GTI. All that grunt is routed to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 launch details
On sale globally next year
Volkswagen will officially unveil the Golf GTI Edition 50 on 20 June 2025, ahead of the Nurburgring 24 Hours race. The hot hatch will be available in global markets by 2026, and will likely be a limited-run model too. An India launch is unlikely, but hot hatch enthusiasts here can look forward to the incoming second batch of the regular Golf GTI, which was launched in May.
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