Volkswagen celebrates 50 years of GTI: world premiere of the electric ID. Polo GTI at the 24h Nürburgring

50 years after the debut of the original – Volkswagen is now unveiling the new ID. Polo GTI as the first electric GTI model in front of a large audience
The challenge of the Nordschleife – three Golf GTI Clubsport 24h will take part in the classic endurance race in the ‘Green Hell’
Highlight for all GTI fans – performance and GTI tradition will take centre stage at Volkswagen’s appearance at Germany’s largest motorsport event

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 largest motorsport event in Germany with an estimated 280,000 spectators is the ideal location for the GTI anniversary weekend: the world premiere of the sporty ID. Polo GTI is scheduled to take place in the Ring-Boulevard in front of a large crowd of motorsport fans.

Volkswagen also has ambitious goals on the racetrack and is entering two Golf GTI Clubsport 24h in the GTI anniversary design in the SP4T class of the 24-hour marathon. Car number 50 will be driven by race car driver and VW test and development driver Benjamin Leuchter (D), eight-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson (S) and Nürburgring specialists Heiko Hammel (D) and Nico Otto (D) – with the aim of achieving a class victory for the third time in a row. Fabian Vettel (D), Timo Hochwind (D) and Jonathan Mogotsi (ZA) and Nico Otto will compete in the second Golf GTI Clubsport 24h with car number 76. In addition, another Golf GTI Clubsport 24h with car number 10 will race in the SP3T class, with former German national soccer team player Max Kruse (D), Christoph Lenz (D), Matthias Wasel (D) and Jens Dralle (D) behind the wheel. All three Golf GTI Clubsport 24 cars will be prepared and entered by Max Kruse Racing from Duisburg (D).

Volkswagen Golf GTI EDITION 50 at legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

Review: The presentation of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 in 2025 on the Ring-Boulevard

Ready for the long distance and the challenge. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h with an output of 397 PS (291 kW) has been further enhanced compared with last year. Active gearbox cooling is a new feature on board, for example – one of many measures to achieve maximum reliability in the 24-hour endurance test. In addition, the calibration of the engine has been fine-tuned. When it comes to weight, the GTI relies on lightweight construction: just as the doors were made of carbon fibre composite starting in 2025, the boot lid is now also made of the same material. In total, the GTI weighs only 1,200 kg (without driver) – the best prerequisites for both agility and speed. In addition, the race chassis has been adapted in nearly every aspect to handle the GTI Clubsport 24h’s immense power and the extreme stresses imposed by the winding and undulating Nordschleife. All three Golf GTI Clubsport 24h are powered by the innovative E20 fuel. It is made from 60 per cent renewable raw materials, offers top performance and helps to reduce CO₂ emissions.

From show car to parade – Volkswagen will spotlight the GTI and performance. On the public presentation area in the Ring-Boulevard of the Nürburgring, Volkswagen will not only unveil the new electric ID. Polo GTI at the race weekend, but also other high-performance models from Volkswagen. Another highlight will be the Golf R 24H show car, which will give a first glimpse of the Volkswagen race car for the 24h race at the Nürburgring in 2027. Shortly before the start of the endurance race, historic GTI models will take centre stage: around 40 Volkswagen GTIs from all eight generations will take to the Nordschleife track in a parade to greet the many fans lining the circuit – and the new ID. Polo GTI will naturally be there too.