Volkswagen marks GTI 50th anniversary with events in Spain and Japan

Volkswagen celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Golf GTI with a large fan festival at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya. More than 1,500 GTI models spanning eight generations and over 4,000 enthusiasts gathered for a day of driving experiences, music, food and a showcase of the new ID. Polo GTI – the brand’s first fully electric GTI, to be built in Spain. The event also featured a high‑performance GTI EDITION 50, the most powerful GTI to date.

A parallel celebration took place at Volkswagen’s Japanese headquarters in Toyohashi, Aichi. Over 2,600 applicants were drawn, with 230 groups invited to attend. The Japanese fan festival unveiled a limited‑edition GTI model, restricted to 300 units in Japan, featuring a dark‑green body and red wheels. Attendees toured the technical service centre, saw historic GTI models, and participated in owner‑focused activities.