Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50, the most powerful GTI ever to celebrate 50 years

Volkswagen Golf GTI has been synonymous with sportiness for 50 years, when in 1976 the Wolfsburg-based brand decided to make a high-performance version of one of its most successful models. After 50 years, the GTI continues to be a benchmark among those looking for a high-performance compact car. To celebrate the important anniversary, Volkswagen decided to make the Golf GTI Edition 50, making it the most powerful version ever produced thanks to the 325 horsepower unloaded on the ground. A very different power compared to the 110 horsepower of the '76 Golf GTI. Designed to ensure superior driving dynamics to all Golf GTIs produced, it can be customised with semi-slick tyres.

But what changes compared to the GTI versions already on the market? In addition to a series of cosmetic details and a dedicated interior, under the bonnet we find the 2.0 turbo EA888 evo4 LK3 engine increased to 325 hp against the 300 hp of the GTI Clubsport. Compared to the standard Golf GTI in its 265 hp base configuration, this gap rises 60 hp. This is close to the 333 hp of the Golf R. The engine is mated to a quick-shifting 7-speed Dsg dual-clutch gearbox that contributes to accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds. Getting from 0 to 200 km/h takes around 16.8 seconds, which is 1.6 seconds less than the Golf GTI Clubsport. The (limited) top speed is 270 km/h.

At the front, the car features a MacPherson front axle and four-link rear axle, with a height reduced by 15 mm compared to the base configuration. For those seeking greater driving precision, the optional Performance package with Performance chassis is available. The package includes, among other things, high-performance swivelling wheel carriers on the front axle with a camber of up to two degrees. This results in noticeably more direct steering behaviour, higher cornering speed and lateral acceleration and, consequently, better line retention. Thanks to the increased spring stiffness, the natural frequency on the front and rear axles has been increased by around 20 per cent, resulting in better road holding, a significantly more direct response and reduced inclination to both roll and pitch. In addition, 50 stiffer spring strut mounts and transverse arms, derived from the MQB transverse modular system, are used, ensuring more precise handling and greater structural stability. Double-jointed wheel supports are fitted on the rear axle to reduce understeer. In addition, the package includes 235 semi-slicks on forged 19-inch Warmenau-type alloy wheels and a lightweight Akrapovič titanium exhaust system. The Bridgestone semi-slick tyres are a further innovation: they offer greater grip combined with lower rolling resistance and weigh around 1.1 kg less per tyre than the previous specification.

The Golf GTI Edition 50 is equipped as standard with an electronically controlled front axle differential lock. Compared to purely mechanical locks, this differential lock offers advantages such as a variable degree of locking depending on Esc (Electronic Stability Control) and Xds+ (Electronic Differential Lock) functions. Thanks to the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, the functions of the front axle lock, the Xds+ electronic differential lock and the transverse dynamics of the Dcc shock absorbers, which are also variably adjustable, can be managed in a coordinated manner when manoeuvring. An application is used in the Vehicle Dynamics Manager that allows the front axle differential lock to be used in an even more targeted manner to influence steering response, linearity and high-speed handling and further optimise driving behaviour.

As on the GTI and GTI Clubsport, the Golf GTI Edition 50 comes standard with the Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.2-inch display diagonal. Using the View button on the multifunction sports steering wheel, three different basic graphic configurations can be set up: Classic with its circular instruments, Progressive with a panelled layout and GTI, the latter featuring a large dial with a traditional rev counter (up to 8,000 rpm) in the centre, with the GTI lettering in red and, below it, the current speed. Five colours are available: in addition to Pure White, there is Moonstone Grey, metallic Grenadilla Black and, exclusive to this celebratory model, metallic Dark Moss Green and Tornado Red. Tornado Red is the paint colour that has distinguished Volkswagen's high-performance cars for decades, starting in 1986. This eye-catching colour was proudly flaunted by numerous top models of the past, including the Golf II GTI 16V, Golf III VR6 and Golf VII GTI Tcr.