Golf

The GTI for a new era: 50 years after the debut of the first GTI, Volkswagen is now presenting the first all-electric model with the world-famous badge – the completely newly developed ID. Polo GTI with an output of 166 kW (226 PS). It is a powerful and highly agile compact sports car that passes the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in 6.8 seconds – but at the same time is suitable for everyday driving. Like with the first GTI in 1976, the drive power of the new ID. Polo GTI is also transferred to the wheels via the front axle – a maximum of 290 Newton-metres that is available at lightning speed. This power is perfectly proportioned thanks to the electronically controlled front differential lock equipped as standard. The world premiere of the ID. Polo GTI took place today, Friday, at the 24h race at the Nürburgring. Pre-sales are scheduled to start in Germany this autumn at a price of just under 39,000 euros.

It will be a race weekend all about the three legendary red letters: Volkswagen is celebrating 50 years of the GTI at the 24h Nürburgring (14-17 May 2026) – marking half a century of driving pleasure and motorsport passion. At the same time, the Volkswagen brand is opening a new chapter in the anniversary year and will unveil the new ID. Polo GTI in the unique atmosphere at the Nürburgring on Friday. For the first time, an all-electric model will bear the renowned GTI badge. However, the world premiere is just one highlight of this special GTI weekend: just one day later, three Golf GTI Clubsport 24h cars will compete in the world-famous endurance race.

The Golf GTI EDITION 50 has set a new benchmark for Volkswagen in the compact segment: the 239 kW (325 PS) anniversary model is the fastest front-wheel drive production vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 – with racing driver and Volkswagen test and development driver Benjamin Leuchter at the wheel – took only 7:44.523 minutes to complete the 20.832-kilometre lap on the legendary racetrack. With its new record time, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 underscores its exceptional position in the Volkswagen model range – as the most powerful and dynamically precise production Golf GTI. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 is also faster than all previous Volkswagen production models on the Nordschleife.

GTI anniversary. A tribute to the first Golf GTI of 1976: the new Golf GTI EDITION 50. The anniversary model marks another milestone in the 50-year history of the successful compact sports car. In fact, with an output of 239 kW (325 PS), the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the most powerful of all the Golf GTI models from series production to date. A maximum speed of 270 km/h also makes it the fastest production model of the Volkswagen brand. Only the Golf R also achieves this speed with an optional R-Performance package. Pre-sales for the Golf GTI EDITION 50 have already started. The anniversary GTI is available alongside the classic Golf GTI with 195 kW (265 PS) and the Golf GTI Clubsport with 221 kW (300 PS).

Status quo of the Golf class. Volkswagen R presents the most powerful Golf models of our time: the new Golf R and the new Golf R Variant with 245 kW (333 PS). The new maximum output corresponds to an increase of 10 kW compared with the direct predecessors. As standard. This power has so far only been available in exclusive special models. The Golf R Variant has never before been available with this amount of power. The times for the classic sprint from 0 to 100 km/h have thus now been shortened to 4.6 and 4.8 seconds (Variant) respectively. In the latest generation too, the top speed can be increased by 20 km/h to 270 km/h by adding the Performance package. This makes the Golf R models the world’s fastest Volkswagens together with the Arteon R Shooting Brake.

GTI – the next chapter. It has the world’s largest fan base of all compact sports cars and is regarded as the original in its class: the Golf GTI is the ultimate icon, with well over 2.3 million units sold. A new evolutionary stage of this vehicle is now being launched. The output of the Golf GTI has increased from 180 kW (245 PS) to 195 kW (265 PS). Pre-sales will get underway in Europe on 14 May. The next GTI highlight will follow just a few days later with the world premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport at the Nürburgring – as part of the legendary 24-hour race. This represents the start of a true GTI weekend: on 1 June, Volkswagen will unveil the 221 kW (300 PS) Golf GTI Clubsport in front of thousands of visitors, who will then be able to take a closer look at the top-of-the-range GTI model on the ‘Nürburgring Boulevard’. The world premiere is taking place to coincide with the celebration of the Golf’s 50th birthday (launched in 1974). To help mark the occasion, three classic Golf vehicles will be taking part in the ADAC 24h Classic (3-hour race) on 2 June just before the main race. And that’s not all. A truly unique Golf will then take part in the 24-hour race: the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, which boasts an output of 256 kW (348 PS). This race car was originally designed by Volkswagen Motorsport and has now been taken to the next level. As a tribute to half a century of Golf, the race organisers have given it the start number 50. Volkswagen says thank you!