VW Golf GTI 50th Anniversary Edition launches in June

Volkswagen is preparing to celebrate the nearly 50-year history of the Golf GTI with a special edition model. The original Golf GTI was released in 1976, and the anniversary edition will be unveiled in June. The reveal will take place during the ADAC 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring. Details about this new model are limited. Volkswagen has described it as a “sporty special model.” Fans are eager to know if it will be based on the Clubsport variant, which offers 296 horsepower, or the standard GTI. The Clubsport has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers more power than the base model. Speculation suggests that the new edition may offer even more horsepower. The engine from the Golf R produces 328 hp, but the GTI will maintain its front-wheel-drive layout. This could make it one of the most powerful front-wheel-drive cars on the market. However, it may still fall short of the Ford Focus RS500, which has 345 hp. The pricing for this special edition is likely to be significant. The Clubsport already costs about €50,000 in Germany. Upcoming versions, such as the R Clubsport, could be even more expensive. While Volkswagen is also working on an electric Golf model through a partnership with Rivian, the gasoline version of the GTI will likely remain available until at least 2035. An electric GTI is expected to be launched in a few years, based on the ID.2 hatchback.