Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50: Race-ready hot hatch on the radar for Australia
Volkswagen Australia has voiced its interest in the most powerful Golf GTI ever, though it's unclear when it might make it into local showrooms.
'The Golf GTI Edition 50 is currently under study by Volkswagen Australia for a local introduction, pending technical milestones and a business case for the vehicle,' Sam Dabestani, product communications manager for VW Group Australia, told CarExpert.
Despite being revealed at last week's 24h Nürburgring endurance race, Germany's largest motorsport event, the 2026 Volkswagen GTI Edition 50 isn't due to hit the European market until 2026 – meaning an Australian-market launch, if confirmed, may not be until the latter stages of next year.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
WATCH: Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 sets the fastest Nurburgring lap time by a production VW
The GTI Edition 50 is the most powerful production GTI ever, turning up the GTI Clubsport's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine to a hefty 239kW/420Nm, still sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto.
VW claims the anniversary edition can dash from 0-100km/h in just 5.5 seconds, 0.1s down on the 221kW GTI Clubsport and 0.4s quicker than the standard 195kW GTI currently on sale in Australia.
But, the biggest gains have been made under the skin and on the track. The revised chassis sees the Edition 50 sit 15mm lower than the standard GTI, with revised spring rates, steering and Dynamic Chassis Control systems.
European buyers will also be able to option the GTI Performance Package which lowers the ride height by a further 5mm, and adds 235mm Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres wrapped around lighter forged alloy wheels as well as stiffer springs for better response and reduced pitching and rolling.
Exclusive trimmings include red Queenstown alloy wheels as standard; GTI 50 logos scattered inside and out; black-painted roof and mirrors; Black-to-Tornado Red side stripes; red seatbelts; exclusive seat upholstery combining cloth and synthetic velour; as well as a 'newly designed leather sports steering wheel'.
The optional GTI Performance Package brings the aforementioned black-painted 'Warmenau' forged alloy wheels, and an Akrapovic titanium sports exhaust as pictured above.
Volkswagen has confirmed five exterior colours for the GTI Edition 50 abroad, including two exclusive finishes for the 50th anniversary special. Pure White, Moonstone Grey and Grenadilla Black carryover from the standard palette, with Dark Moss Green and Tornado Red offered exclusively on the Edition 50.
Tornado Red is a paint synonymous with high-performance Volkswagen vehicles since 1986. Numerous models have worn the distinctive paint colour over the decades, including the Mk2 Golf GTI 16V, the Mk3 Golf VR6 and the Mk7 Golf GTI TCR.
Earlier this month, company race driver Benny Leuchter piloted a pre-production Edition 50 to a 7 minute 46.13 second lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleife, making it the fastest production Volkswagen model around the iconic 20.8km German circuit.
It beat the 2022 Golf R 20 Years by over a second, the previous VW record holder with a 7 minute 47.31 second time – again with Mr Leuchter at the wheel – despite the R's extra 6kW of power and all-paw traction.
For reference, the GTI Edition 50's 7:46:13 Nordschleife record is within striking distance of the 2023 Type R's 7:44:881 and 2019 Megane R.S. Trophy R's 7:45:39 times. The record holder for compact vehicles, however, is the Golf's cousin the Audi RS3 – which holds a 7:33:123 best time.
Tell us in the comments if you want to see the GTI Edition 50 offered in Australia!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
7 hours ago
- The Age
In a world of conflict, the spoils are rich from gold and guns
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated that global military expenditure hit a record $US2.7 trillion ($4.1 trillion) in 2024, an increase of 9.4 per cent in real terms from the previous year, and the steepest annual jump since the Cold War ended. 'If 5 per cent [of GDP] becomes baseline, defence stocks stop being cyclical – they become structural. And that changes everything.' Stephen Innes, SPI Asset Management SIPRI highlighted the 'guns or butter' cost to social programs from the rising spending on weaponry. 'As governments increasingly prioritise military security, often at the expense of other budget areas, the economic and social trade-offs could have significant effects on societies for years to come,' warned SIPRI researcher Xiao Liang. The big beneficiaries from this war trade are traditionally US defence giants, such as Northrop Grumman – maker of the B-2 stealth bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles – which is now trading near multi-year highs. Virginia-based RTX, which makes the Javelin and Stinger missiles that were used heavily in the Ukraine war, has also hit record highs. But the changing nature of warfare, where computer-guided drones and new technology such as AI are coming to the fire, has thrown up some new winners. Shares of US tech group Palantir have soared more than 400 per cent in a year as the company cements its place in the US industrial military complex. And investors are also noticing the impact in Europe, where Germany's new government signalled a seismic shift in March, with plans to lift strict spending controls to create a €500 billion ($896 billion) fund for defence and security. It has had a massive impact on European stocks. Italy-based aerospace, defence and security firm Leonardo, German sensor technology company Hensoldt, and British aerospace and defence company Babcock International have seen their share prices more than double over the last year. Korea's Hanwha Aerospace is another EU beneficiary, and its share price has soared 200 per cent over the same period. Even Australia benefits, as shown by Hanwha recently acquiring a 9.9 per cent stake in local shipbuilder Austal, with plans to double its investment. Austal shares have tripled since last September, thanks to its contracts with the US Navy. ASX-listed DroneShield – a maker of anti-drone technology – has tripled since February. And right on cue, it announced a $61 million European military order on Wednesday for handheld detection and counter-drone systems. This one deal exceeds its entire revenue for 2024. Three ASX-listed defence ETFs (exchange-traded funds, which invest in defence stocks globally) from VanEck, Betashares and Global X are all up 50 per cent this year. 'Global defence has been one of the few equity segments that have outperformed the market this year. Flows into ASX-listed global defence ETFs have shot up since March,' VanEck's Jamie Hannah said. The surge in the performance of defence stocks has posed a conundrum for some ethical funds and investment mandates, which have generally precluded any military assets. But investors appear to be coming to the conclusion that Citi reached in 2022: 'Defence is likely to be increasingly seen as a necessity that facilitates ESG as an enterprise as well as maintaining peace, stability and other social goods.' In April, UBS Asset Management – which oversees $US1.8 trillion in investments – scrapped prohibitions that prevented its sustainable funds from investing in conventional military weapons manufacturers. Exclusions still apply to more controversial weaponry such as cluster munitions. Hannah says VanEck already screens out these more controversial manufacturers from its ETF. 'It's very much an area where you need to consider what you're investing in,' Hannah said. Meanwhile, the only controversy over the ultimate defensive asset, gold, is whether it has peaked after a spectacular run over the past year to a record high of $US3500 an ounce in April. This month, a European Central Bank report confirmed that its soaring price, along with bullion buying by central banks, means gold is currently the second-biggest reserve holding by central banks behind the US dollar. Citi highlighted the extraordinary rush to gold with a report saying 0.5 per cent of global GDP was being spent on gold – the most in 50 years of data. And central banks have not been the only buyers. This month, VanEck noted that Australia's most recent export figures included $11 billion in 'non-monetary' gold exports to the US – which is gold acquired by private buyers, not reserve banks, for their foreign exchange reserves. 'This volume of gold exports for the quarter is more than the total non-monetary gold we have shipped to the USA in the last four years, and we think this could reflect a massive increase in demand from investors due to a loss of faith in [the US dollar] and US Treasuries,' VanEck's Cameron McCormack said. While some are getting squeamish after this year's 27 per cent gain for the precious metal, others are expecting its golden run to continue. Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs predicts gold will climb to $US3700 a troy ounce by the end of the year, from about $US3330 currently, as central banks keep buying tonnes of it every month. It could rise even further if investors use bullion as a safe space ahead of interest rate cuts and amid rising recession concerns. 'In the event of a recession, Goldman Sachs Research forecasts that gold could rise to as much as $US3880 a troy ounce,' the investment bank says.
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
In a world of conflict, the spoils are rich from gold and guns
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated that global military expenditure hit a record $US2.7 trillion ($4.1 trillion) in 2024, an increase of 9.4 per cent in real terms from the previous year, and the steepest annual jump since the Cold War ended. 'If 5 per cent [of GDP] becomes baseline, defence stocks stop being cyclical – they become structural. And that changes everything.' Stephen Innes, SPI Asset Management SIPRI highlighted the 'guns or butter' cost to social programs from the rising spending on weaponry. 'As governments increasingly prioritise military security, often at the expense of other budget areas, the economic and social trade-offs could have significant effects on societies for years to come,' warned SIPRI researcher Xiao Liang. The big beneficiaries from this war trade are traditionally US defence giants, such as Northrop Grumman – maker of the B-2 stealth bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles – which is now trading near multi-year highs. Virginia-based RTX, which makes the Javelin and Stinger missiles that were used heavily in the Ukraine war, has also hit record highs. But the changing nature of warfare, where computer-guided drones and new technology such as AI are coming to the fire, has thrown up some new winners. Shares of US tech group Palantir have soared more than 400 per cent in a year as the company cements its place in the US industrial military complex. And investors are also noticing the impact in Europe, where Germany's new government signalled a seismic shift in March, with plans to lift strict spending controls to create a €500 billion ($896 billion) fund for defence and security. It has had a massive impact on European stocks. Italy-based aerospace, defence and security firm Leonardo, German sensor technology company Hensoldt, and British aerospace and defence company Babcock International have seen their share prices more than double over the last year. Korea's Hanwha Aerospace is another EU beneficiary, and its share price has soared 200 per cent over the same period. Even Australia benefits, as shown by Hanwha recently acquiring a 9.9 per cent stake in local shipbuilder Austal, with plans to double its investment. Austal shares have tripled since last September, thanks to its contracts with the US Navy. ASX-listed DroneShield – a maker of anti-drone technology – has tripled since February. And right on cue, it announced a $61 million European military order on Wednesday for handheld detection and counter-drone systems. This one deal exceeds its entire revenue for 2024. Three ASX-listed defence ETFs (exchange-traded funds, which invest in defence stocks globally) from VanEck, Betashares and Global X are all up 50 per cent this year. 'Global defence has been one of the few equity segments that have outperformed the market this year. Flows into ASX-listed global defence ETFs have shot up since March,' VanEck's Jamie Hannah said. The surge in the performance of defence stocks has posed a conundrum for some ethical funds and investment mandates, which have generally precluded any military assets. But investors appear to be coming to the conclusion that Citi reached in 2022: 'Defence is likely to be increasingly seen as a necessity that facilitates ESG as an enterprise as well as maintaining peace, stability and other social goods.' In April, UBS Asset Management – which oversees $US1.8 trillion in investments – scrapped prohibitions that prevented its sustainable funds from investing in conventional military weapons manufacturers. Exclusions still apply to more controversial weaponry such as cluster munitions. Hannah says VanEck already screens out these more controversial manufacturers from its ETF. 'It's very much an area where you need to consider what you're investing in,' Hannah said. Meanwhile, the only controversy over the ultimate defensive asset, gold, is whether it has peaked after a spectacular run over the past year to a record high of $US3500 an ounce in April. This month, a European Central Bank report confirmed that its soaring price, along with bullion buying by central banks, means gold is currently the second-biggest reserve holding by central banks behind the US dollar. Citi highlighted the extraordinary rush to gold with a report saying 0.5 per cent of global GDP was being spent on gold – the most in 50 years of data. And central banks have not been the only buyers. This month, VanEck noted that Australia's most recent export figures included $11 billion in 'non-monetary' gold exports to the US – which is gold acquired by private buyers, not reserve banks, for their foreign exchange reserves. 'This volume of gold exports for the quarter is more than the total non-monetary gold we have shipped to the USA in the last four years, and we think this could reflect a massive increase in demand from investors due to a loss of faith in [the US dollar] and US Treasuries,' VanEck's Cameron McCormack said. While some are getting squeamish after this year's 27 per cent gain for the precious metal, others are expecting its golden run to continue. Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs predicts gold will climb to $US3700 a troy ounce by the end of the year, from about $US3330 currently, as central banks keep buying tonnes of it every month. It could rise even further if investors use bullion as a safe space ahead of interest rate cuts and amid rising recession concerns. 'In the event of a recession, Goldman Sachs Research forecasts that gold could rise to as much as $US3880 a troy ounce,' the investment bank says.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
CarExpert Choice winner: Best Luxury Small Car
The BMW 1 Series has been named Australia's best small luxury car in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. It beat out the related Mini Cooper as well as the rival Audi A3, both of which were named finalists. The 1 Series hatch was redesigned for 2025, bringing not only a fresher look but also a significant tech overhaul. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. With front-wheel drive and a three-cylinder engine as standard, this mightn't sound like a traditional BMW. However, it offers traditional BMW strengths like excellent dynamics and an upscale look and feel. All 1 Series hatchbacks are enjoyable to drive, but the flagship all-wheel drive M135 xDrive is a genuine hot hatch. Not only does it have capable handling, but its powerful turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sees it do the 0-100km/h dash in under five seconds. To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here. MORE: Explore the BMW 1 Series showroom Content originally sourced from: The BMW 1 Series has been named Australia's best small luxury car in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. It beat out the related Mini Cooper as well as the rival Audi A3, both of which were named finalists. The 1 Series hatch was redesigned for 2025, bringing not only a fresher look but also a significant tech overhaul. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. With front-wheel drive and a three-cylinder engine as standard, this mightn't sound like a traditional BMW. However, it offers traditional BMW strengths like excellent dynamics and an upscale look and feel. All 1 Series hatchbacks are enjoyable to drive, but the flagship all-wheel drive M135 xDrive is a genuine hot hatch. Not only does it have capable handling, but its powerful turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sees it do the 0-100km/h dash in under five seconds. To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here. MORE: Explore the BMW 1 Series showroom Content originally sourced from: The BMW 1 Series has been named Australia's best small luxury car in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. It beat out the related Mini Cooper as well as the rival Audi A3, both of which were named finalists. The 1 Series hatch was redesigned for 2025, bringing not only a fresher look but also a significant tech overhaul. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. With front-wheel drive and a three-cylinder engine as standard, this mightn't sound like a traditional BMW. However, it offers traditional BMW strengths like excellent dynamics and an upscale look and feel. All 1 Series hatchbacks are enjoyable to drive, but the flagship all-wheel drive M135 xDrive is a genuine hot hatch. Not only does it have capable handling, but its powerful turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sees it do the 0-100km/h dash in under five seconds. To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here. MORE: Explore the BMW 1 Series showroom Content originally sourced from: The BMW 1 Series has been named Australia's best small luxury car in the inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards. It beat out the related Mini Cooper as well as the rival Audi A3, both of which were named finalists. The 1 Series hatch was redesigned for 2025, bringing not only a fresher look but also a significant tech overhaul. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. With front-wheel drive and a three-cylinder engine as standard, this mightn't sound like a traditional BMW. However, it offers traditional BMW strengths like excellent dynamics and an upscale look and feel. All 1 Series hatchbacks are enjoyable to drive, but the flagship all-wheel drive M135 xDrive is a genuine hot hatch. Not only does it have capable handling, but its powerful turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sees it do the 0-100km/h dash in under five seconds. To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here. MORE: Explore the BMW 1 Series showroom Content originally sourced from:
