Anniversary model Golf GTI three times as powerful as the original (and this one does come to the Netherlands!)

June 23, 2025

50 years

In 1976, Volkswagen launched the very first Golf GTI. With 81 kW (110 hp), it had enough punch to get a whole generation of car enthusiasts excited. Now, fifty years later, Volkswagen is taking it up a notch. The festive Golf GTI 50 Edition boasts 239 kW (325 hp) – making it almost three times as powerful as the primordial GTI from the 1970s.

The most powerful GTI ever

With that hefty amount of horsepower – and a hefty 420 Nm of torque – this anniversary edition is the most potent production GTI from Wolfsburg to date. The chassis has also been tightened up, the suspension lowered 15 millimeters, and those who opt for the optional Performance package get an additional 5 millimeters of lowering.

What’s included in the Performance package?

The Performance package includes an even stiffer chassis (+20% suspension stiffness), semi-slick tires from Bridgestone (Potenza Race), 19-inch alloy (“Warmenau”) and an exhaust system from Akrapovič that is not only lighter but also provides a good soundtrack. In total, this package saves over 14 pounds on the scales.

Interior: retro with a twist

Inside, the GTI 50 Edition shows that the party atmosphere is just fine. Bucket seats with classic checkered pattern, red seat belts and subtle accents in Racing Green give the whole thing a nod to the past. The steering wheel features a GTI 50 logo.

Exterior: recognizable GTI with anniversary sauce

Externally, the 50 Edition does not scream for attention, but those who know what to look for will notice the details. The roof is painted black, the mirror caps bear GTI 50 logos, and classic racing stripes in Tornado Red run along the flanks.

Clubsport

The basis of this anniversary model is the Golf GTI Clubsport – which you cannot normally order in the Netherlands. But for this celebration number, Volkswagen Netherlands is making an exception. Production will roll off the assembly line in Wolfsburg from the end of 2025, and the first Dutch customers can expect their copy in early 2026. Its price the brand will announce later.