Volkswagen has achieved a new internal record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife with the Golf GTI Edition 50, a special edition of the Golf GTI that commemorates 50 years of the hot hatchback. The car completed the 20.8km layout of the track in 7 minutes and 46.13 seconds, making it the fastest production model to lap the iconic German circuit. The Golf GTI Edition 50 also clocked a quicker time of 7:41.27 on the shorter 20.6km layout, which omits a short straight segment.
The record-breaking lap was set by Benny Leuchter, Volkswagen’s development and race driver, who piloted the car to a time that even outpaced the more powerful, all-wheel drive Golf R 20 Years Edition and the track-focused Golf GTI Clubsport S. The Golf GTI Edition 50’s performance is all the more impressive considering it is a front-wheel drive car, compared to the all-wheel drive Golf R 20 Years Edition.
The Golf GTI Edition 50 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is expected to develop around 324hp, nearly 60hp more than the regular Golf GTI. The car is equipped with an optional Performance Package, which includes lighter 19-inch forged wheels, Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres, revised suspension, and tweaked chassis settings. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
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. The ID.R continues to hold the German carmaker’s all-time record at the circuit.
Volkswagen will officially unveil the Golf GTI Edition 50 on June 20, 2025, ahead of the Nurburgring 24 Hours race. The hot hatch will be available in global markets by 2026, and is likely to be a limited-run model. Unfortunately, an India launch is unlikely, but hot hatch enthusiasts in the country can look forward to the incoming second batch of the regular Golf GTI, which was launched in May. The Golf GTI Edition 50 is a fitting tribute to 50 years of the Golf GTI, and its impressive performance at the Nurburgring is a testament to the car’s capabilities.