Volkswagen Celebrates 50 Years of GTI With Edition 50 Golf and Electric Polo GTI

Volkswagen is set to celebrate 50 years of the Golf GTI in 2026, and for car enthusiasts, this milestone hits close to home. The GTI story began in 1976 in Germany as a limited run of just 5,000 units, but the response rewrote the plan almost instantly. More than 50,000 units sold in the first year alone, proving there was strong demand for a car that mixed performance with daily usability.

Production of the first-generation model later reached 461,690 units worldwide. With 109bhp, a top speed of 182km/h and a 0–100km/h time of 9.0 seconds, the early Golf GTI showed how accessible performance could fit into everyday driving without compromise.

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The original Volkswagen Golf GTI also made sense from an ownership point of view. It offered space, comfort and pace in one package. This balance between regular transport needs and performance is what pushed demand beyond projections and helped the GTI badge grow into a global name.

For 2026, Volkswagen brings that legacy forward with the Golf GTI Edition 50. Power rises to 320bhp, making it the most powerful production Golf GTI to date. Orders are open in select European markets, with deliveries planned for 2026. The car retains front-wheel drive and a driver-focused layout, staying aligned with the GTI formula developed over five decades. Golf GTI sales have now crossed 2.5 million units globally since 1976.

The celebration also marks a shift with the introduction of the ID Polo GTI, Volkswagen’s first electric GTI model. Due in 2026, it produces 223bhp from an electric powertrain. Despite the change in powertrain, the focus remains on handling balance and everyday usability, core elements that define the GTI line.

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Anniversary events will begin at Rétromobile in Paris from 28 January to 1 February 2026, followed by the Bremen Classic Motorshow from 30 January to 2 February. These shows open the European classic car season and feature GTI models from 1976 onwards. Volkswagen will use these platforms to reflect on production milestones while outlining the future direction of the GTI brand.