No midlife crisis but a record for the Golf GTI
This page is translated from the original post "Pas de crise de la cinquantaine mais un record pour la Golf GTI" in French.
- 14/06/2025 11:11
The future Golf GTI EDITION 50, which will be launched in 2026 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous compact sports car, has made its mark on the legendary Nürburgring circuit.
Behind the wheel of a Golf GTI EDITION 50 prototype close to the production model, Volkswagen test driver Benny Leuchter completed the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 46 seconds and 13 hundredths. This time represents a record for a road-legal Volkswagen GTI.
This anniversary model will be officially presented on June 20, 2025, at the opening of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. With this new edition, Volkswagen celebrates the legacy of the Golf GTI while pushing performance even further. Launched in 1976, the first Volkswagen Golf GTI revolutionized the automotive world. Compact, lightweight, and sporty, it combined performance and practicality. Its 1.6-liter engine with 110 horsepower and its distinctive look, featuring a red-framed grille and checkered seats, marked the beginning of modern sporty compacts.
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The record-setting model was equipped with the optional Performance package. This includes a high-performance chassis and 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tires mounted on ultra-light forged wheels. These components allow for a reduction in unsprung mass, thus improving agility and stability.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the Golf conquered the 20.8 km circuit. This record adds to those already set by Benny Leuchter on the same circuit, notably with the Golf GTI Clubsport S (2016) and the Golf R 20 Years (2022). It is worth noting that this time of 7:46:13 includes a section of track of about 200 meters not counted in previous records.
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