Edition 50 is the most powerful Golf GTI ever

REVEALED Special edition marks anniversary for Volkswagen’s icon

- Jordan Katsianis

TO mark 50 years since the original Mk1 Golf GTI appeared, VW has revealed one of the fiercest special editions of the iconic hot hatchback in its history, the new Mk8 Golf GTI Edition 50.

While VW GTIs are rarely the most potent or focused hot hatchbacks in their class, every so often the brand gives us a model with a more hardcore appeal - something this new Edition 50 looks to emulate.

It's the most powerful Golf GTI in history, with 320bhp derived from the same turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine as the standard model. Torque is rated at 320Nm, helping the Edition 50 do 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds.

The figures represent a 24bhp and 20Nm increase over the existing GTI Clubsport, and put the Edition 50 14bhp up on the iconic Mk7 GTI Clubsport S - a model that's regarded as not only the best GTI, but also one of the best hot hatchbacks of all time.