Limited edition Volkswagen Golf GTI 50 Edition heading our way

Volkswagen New Zealand has confirmed that the brand’s latest limited edition release — a model that celebrates a notable milestone — will be hitting local showrooms. But keen customers will need to get in quick.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI 50 Edition, released to mark the 50th anniversary of Volkswagen’s GTI performance sub-brand, will soon be offered to local customers. 

The brand’s local arm has begun to take expressions of interest from customers. Pricing for the 50 Edition has not been revealed just yet, nor has the size of New Zealand’s allocation of the limited edition variant with Volkswagen only stating that “only a small number will be available”. 

The Golf GTI 50 Edition comes with several key changes over the standard GTI. Most notably, Volkswagen has managed to up the output of the turbocharged 2.0-litre to 239kW and 420Nm. 

That represents a lift of 44kW/50Nm over a garden variety GTI, and an 18kW/20Nm lift relative to the GTI Clubsport. It’s capable of accelerating from a standstill to 100kph in 5.3 seconds, making it six tenths faster than the standard model.

The model also gets a lightweight exhaust package, model-specific 19-inch ‘Queenstown’ wheels, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, matrix LED headlights, red seatbelts, and several other aesthetic touches.

The GT 50 Edition sadly (if you’re a purist, at least) still forgoes a manual transmission, with all models fitted with Volkswagen’s familiar 7-speed dual-clutch. 

Pricing raises an interesting conundrum for the Volkswagen New Zealand office. The 50 Edition will presumably be more expensive than the $72,490 Golf GTI. But it will also presumably have to be cheaper than the other hotted up Golf, the all-wheel drive $85,490 Golf R.

The first Volkswagen Golf GTI was introduced in 1976. Its naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine had a top speed of 180kph, and could hit 100kph in just under 10 seconds. Other models to proudly wear the GTI badge over the decades include the Polo, Scirocco, and Up!.