At that power level (and likely cost), I'd rather have the awd R.
Nonetheless, I'm glad someone in the ROW markets will get to enjoy them..
Photography courtesy Volkswagen
How do you celebrate 50 years of the iconic GTI? With a special edition, of course, but the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 isn’t just badging. It’s the most powerful GTI ever, with 320 horses under the hood. The bad news, Volkswagen won’t be bringing it into the U.S.
For those of you who are making plans for when you can import it here in 25 years or looking into moving (or at least vacationing) to Germany to enjoy one, read on.
The GTI Edition 50 receives a significant power boost over the GTI Clubsport, from 261 horses to 320. Torque gets increased from 295 lb.-ft. to 310. How? “Thanks to internal engine measures,” Volkswagen says. With more power, comes a retuned chassis and suspension, including dropping the ride height by 15mm over the base model.
So, does more power equal more speed? Yes. The Golf GTI Edition 50 turned a 7:46.13-minute lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife track. It is faster than the Volkswagen Golf VIII R 333 “20 Years” time set in 2022. Benjamin Leuchter turned both of those GTI fast laps.
“For me, the Golf GTI Edition 50 is the most precise and sporty Volkswagen I’ve ever driven,” Benjamin says. “It reminds me a lot of the Golf GTI Clubsport S from 2016. However, the Golf GTI Edition 50 has been systematically enhanced once again. Because it’s so intuitive and precise, I have a lot of confidence in the car and can really push it to the limit.”
Want even more performance? The Golf GTI Edition 50 can get an optional GTI Performance package that’s exclusive to this trim. It comes with higher spring rates (by about 20%), even lower the ride height (5mm lower), adapted suspension mounts, 235mm-wide Bridgestone Potenza Race tires, 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels (saves around 6 pounds apiece) and a lightweight R-Performance exhaust system (cut around 24 pounds).
Now, yes, there’s the Golf R here in the U.S. with slightly more power than the GTI Edition 50 (4 horses, to be exact), but there’s something about that GTI nameplate.
At that power level (and likely cost), I'd rather have the awd R.
Nonetheless, I'm glad someone in the ROW markets will get to enjoy them..
Did VW completely drop the stick shift or do "those people" over there get to enjoy a manual.
In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :
Yeah, the stick is gone worldwide for this car. North America was actually the last market/region that still received the manual option. Hard to believe, but true.
In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
I'm suprised they dropped it with all those German gearheads but I understand the overall change. Enjoy the VW.
In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :
That video...
About the transmission choice for N. America not: agreed, that was a surprise. The product manager for the Golf line appeared in some videos when the 8th generation GTi and R were released. Here's an example, she talks about it at the 8:56 mark.
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