Volkswagen will celebrate the Golf GTI’s 50th anniversary in 2026 with classic events and the most powerful production model to date
Volkswagen will mark the 50th anniversary of the Golf GTI in 2026 with a series of classic car events, an anniversary edition that is the most powerful production model to date, and the introduction of the first all-electric GTI. The Golf GTI launched in 1976 with 81 kW (110 PS) and has since sold more than 2.5 million units globally, becoming what the automaker describes as the world’s most successful compact sports car.
The Golf GTI EDITION 50 produces 239 kW (325 PS) and is already available to order in some European markets, with deliveries scheduled for 2026. Volkswagen will also introduce the ID. Polo GTI in 2026, applying the GTI philosophy to an electric vehicle (EV) for the first time with an output of 166 kW (226 PS).
The original Golf GTI was intended as a limited run of 5,000 units but sold ten times that number in its first year. Priced at 13,850 Deutschmarks in Germany, the model achieved a top speed of 182 km/h with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds. A total of 461,690 first-generation units were produced.
Anniversary celebrations will begin at Rétromobile in Paris from 28 January to 1 February and the Bremen Classic Motorshow from 30 January to 2 February. Both events mark the opening of the European classic car season.
Source: Volkswagen
