Volkswagen unveils Golf GTI Edition 50 with 325 hp power

To mark the 50th anniversary of the original 1976 Golf GTI, Volkswagen released the Golf GTI Edition 50, a limited‑edition hot hatch that packs a 2.0‑litre turbocharged four‑cylinder engine delivering 325 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. It is the most powerful GTI ever built and is presented as the final pure‑combustion GTI before the brand’s broader shift toward electrified models. Test drives by Italian outlets such as Il Fatto Quotidiano and Motoring columns note a 0‑100 km/h time of about 5.3 seconds, a top speed of 270 km/h, and a distinctive performance package that includes a stiffer suspension, 19‑inch wheels, upgraded brakes and a unique exhaust note. The model starts at €74,795 in Ireland, with optional extras pushing the price above €84,000, a figure influenced by higher CO₂‑based taxes. Exterior styling adds a black‑spoked wheel, roof spoiler, and special badging, while the interior features a digital cockpit, ArtVelours‑trimmed seats and Alcantara‑type steering wheel. Production is limited, celebrating the GTI’s heritage while signalling the end of the era of high‑output, fully internal‑combustion hot hatches from Volkswagen.