325 PS and a Nürburgring Record: Golf GTI Edition 50 Sets a New Benchmark

By Team Dailyrevs  

325 PS and a Nürburgring Record: Golf GTI Edition 50 Sets a New Benchmark

Volkswagen GTI Turns 50 With a Record-Breaking Statement

Volkswagen is celebrating half a century of the GTI by doing what it does best: evolving a familiar formula with precision and purpose. The new Golf GTI Edition 50 is more than just a commemorative badge exercise. With 325 PS, a 7:46.13 Nürburgring lap, and the sharpest chassis ever fitted to a front-wheel-drive GTI, it resets the bar for the nameplate—and for the segment it helped create.

This special edition arrives as both tribute and technical showcase, subtly reconfiguring the GTI ethos around performance hardware and heritage styling cues.

Powertrain Delivers the Strongest Production GTI Yet

Under the hood, the EA888 evo4 2.0‑liter turbocharged inline‑four delivers 325 PS (239 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque. That’s the highest output ever seen in a production GTI. It pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission, channeling power exclusively to the front wheels.

Volkswagen engineers recalibrated the front-axle differential lock and software mapping to manage the increased torque without disrupting handling precision. According to Volkswagen, “The electronically controlled front differential lock was fine-tuned in combination with the Vehicle Dynamics Manager for maximum traction and cornering stability.”

The Performance Package includes a sports suspension (DCC), progressive steering, and a set of forged 19-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slicks—hardware that collectively supports its Nürburgring performance claims.

Nürburgring Time Validates More Than Just Numbers

The Edition 50’s 7:46.13 Nürburgring Nordschleife lap makes it the fastest production GTI ever to lap the famed circuit. Crucially, it was achieved with a production-spec configuration, as stated in Volkswagen’s official press release. This lap not only commemorates the GTI’s legacy but also validates the hardware revisions that elevate this version beyond earlier GTI iterations like the Clubsport or TCR.

The track-ready nature of the Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, combined with the revised aero balance and suspension control, point to a sharper, more focused execution without abandoning daily usability.

Anniversary Design Cues Reinforce the GTI’s Lineage

Visually, the Edition 50 remains instantly recognizable as a GTI, but it wears a set of specific accents. GTI 50 logos appear on the steering wheel, side sills, and rear spoiler. The honeycomb grille receives a subtle red accent, while interior appointments include check-pattern seats and red seat belts, both nods to the original Mk1 GTI.

Buyers can choose between several exclusive paint finishes, including Tornado Red, Dark Moss Green, Moonstone Grey, and Pure White, with a black roof and mirror caps standard.

For those seeking visual context and detailed imagery, visit the full gallery at DailyRevs.

Production Intent and Market Outlook

Volkswagen has not confirmed full global availability, but the Edition 50 will be offered in select European markets. This makes it a more exclusive proposition than mainstream GTI variants. Given its performance hardware and commemorative status, it could also be a future collectible in the GTI lineage.

The company’s messaging around the car avoids superlatives, yet the numbers speak clearly. This is a GTI built not just to honor a badge but to challenge its class.


  • The Edition 50 is the most powerful production Golf GTI ever built, delivering 325 PS and 420 Nm from the EA888 evo4 engine.

  • It set a Nürburgring lap record for the GTI nameplate at 7:46.13 using production-spec hardware.

  • Special edition design elements and performance tuning distinguish it as both a heritage tribute and performance flagship.

Check the full Image gallery of The new Golf GTI Edition 50