Volkswagen to Unveil Golf GTI Edition 50 at Nurburgring 24 Hours

Anticipated debut of VW’s Golf GTI Edition 50 at the Nurburgring may feature over 300 hp, celebrating 50 years of the Golf lineage.

Volkswagen is set to unveil a special version of the Golf GTI at the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race on May 31, sparking excitement among enthusiasts. Thomas Schafer, VW’s chief executive, teased the new model on LinkedIn with a pixelated video showcasing the car navigating the Nurburgring, including its iconic Carousel corner. The teaser hints at a unique design for this version, featuring a more aggressive front bumper and sharper air intake shrouds compared to the recently unveiled 2025 Golf GTI.

Marking ’50 Years of Golf,’ this upcoming model might be named the ’Edition 50.’ It’s speculated to be a Clubsport variant, which historically offers more power than the standard GTI versions. The latest GTI model, known as the MK8.5, exclusively features a seven-speed DSG transmission and has boosted its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine to produce 261 hp in Europe—though specs for the U.S. are still under wraps.

Enthusiasts are particularly excited by the possibility that this new GTI could surpass 300 hp, given that the previous Golf GTI Clubsport 45 model achieved 292 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. There’s also buzz around whether VW will attempt to reclaim the front-wheel drive lap record at the Nurburgring, a title the Mk7 Golf GTI Clubsport S once held, further adding to the legendary status of the Golf GTI lineage.