Volkswagen is gearing up for a special celebration as the iconic Golf GTI hot hatch approaches its 50th birthday. The German automaker is preparing to unveil a new special edition of the Golf GTI later this month, with the official unveiling scheduled for 12:30am on June 1, Australian Eastern Standard Time.
In a recent post on LinkedIn, Volkswagen Group CEO Thomas Schäfer shared a video featuring the Golf GTI at the Nürburgring, offering a glimpse of the upcoming special edition. The video hints at design changes, including a modified front bumper with distinctive fang-like elements flanking the radiator inlet, setting it apart from the upcoming facelifted ‘Mk8.5’ model.
With subtle nods to the Golf’s 50th anniversary that took place on March 29, it is likely that this special edition is intended to mark the hot hatch’s five decades of production. Volkswagen has a history of commemorating significant Golf production milestones with special editions in the past.
Previous anniversary models include the Mk3 Golf 20th Anniversary GTI in 1996, the GTI 25th Anniversary Edition in 2001, the GTI Edition 30 in 2006, the GTI Edition 35 in 2011, and the Golf GTI Clubsport 45 in 2021. While some of these models were not available in Australia, local buyers were treated to the Golf GTI 40 Years edition, sold as the Golf GTI Clubsport, exclusively in the Australian market.
Anniversary editions typically offer more than just cosmetic enhancements, often featuring mechanical upgrades such as increased power output. The latest iteration of the Volkswagen Golf, the facelifted eighth generation, is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2025, potentially bringing the anniversary edition closer to the Golf GTI’s 50th birthday.
As enthusiasts eagerly await the official unveiling of the special edition Golf GTI, the automotive world is abuzz with excitement over what Volkswagen has in store for this milestone celebration.
