VW Golf GTI «Edition 50»: Back to Small-Town Charm at Last
For 50 years, the GTI designation at VW has stood for sportiness—and recently, even on electric models. We prefer to stick with a good old-fashioned internal combustion engine and really let loose in the compact Golf.
Why do we need the oft-cited “rubber band effect” when accelerating an electric car, when our anniversary edition of the Golf GTI with its internal combustion engine—thanks to 239 kW/325 PS and 420 Nm—simply cruises down the German autobahn anyway? Accompanied by the deep, resonant—yet never brash—roar of the two-liter four-cylinder engine—it’s wonderful! Even at 200 km/h, you’re completely relaxed behind the wheel of this compact sports car. Things get a bit rougher starting at 240 km/h, but the GTI is far too good to be used just for tearing down the autobahn (top speed: 270 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds) anyway.
This VW is actually most fun to drive on winding country roads. That’s where it can really showcase the benefits of its handling, which has been perfected over generation after generation. The front-wheel-drive model, equipped with an electronically controlled front-axle differential lock, seems to literally stick to the road. The progressive steering is extremely precise, and the adaptive DCC suspension, while firm, is by no means uncomfortable. The best part is this: despite its sportiness and a ride height lowered by an additional 5 to 20 millimeters, the Golf remains perfectly suitable for everyday use (374 to 1,230 liters of cargo space). It can, if it wants to—but it never has to!
GTI Nostalgia Inside
The visual nods to the original 1976 GTI are also really well done: Instead of a red-framed radiator grille, there’s a subtle red line connecting the LED lights—and, of course, the legendary GTI emblem on the front. Inside, the checkered-pattern sports seats are a must—and this modern take is definitely stylish. There are also red seat belts and red rubber pads for the gas and brake pedals. The cockpit is dominated by the new, centrally located 12.9-inch infotainment display. While it features illuminated touch sliders at the bottom for climate control and volume—as well as classic steering wheel buttons for greater ease of use—it could still be more intuitive.
And what about that legendary golf ball for shifting gears? That’s a thing of the past. In the new model, you switch between Drive and Sport modes for the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission using a toggle switch. But it wouldn’t be complete without a golf ball. Fun fact: When you open the doors, it’s projected onto the ground along with the GTI logo. The exhaust system—with its two large titanium tailpipes—and the black rear diffuser are striking yet unobtrusive. A large roof spoiler with «GTI 50» logos on the sides also stands out here. Thanks to the GTI Performance Package ED50 (3,500 francs extra), the test car has not only shed an additional 25 kilograms but also comes equipped with black 19-inch forged wheels—a truly impressive look that, above all, delivers an enormous amount of driving fun.
Expert Review: VW Golf GTI «Edition 50»
It doesn't get much more compact or sporty than this. 325 PS and 420 Nm: The anniversary model is the most powerful production Golf to date. It’s not just for GTI enthusiasts; however, with a price tag of at least 56,700 francs (test model: 65,747 francs), it comes at a cost.
Advantages
+ Excellent handling, precise steering
+ Modern with charming retro details
+ Sportiness with great everyday practicality
Disadvantages
– Despite the high price, it’s still a Golf at the end of the day
– New display, but the controls are still not entirely intuitive
