The Volkswagen Golf GTI is 50 years old, and to celebrate this milestone, Volkswagen has released a special edition, the GTI Edition 50. This car claims to be the quickest front-drive production car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 7 minutes and 44.5 seconds, beating the FL5-generation Honda Civic Type R by around three-tenths of a second.
The Edition 50 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, producing 321 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Golf in the lineup, aside from the four-wheel-drive R model. The power is transmitted through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and the car features VW's XDS+ brake-based torque-vectoring system and the clutch-based VAQ that mimics the effect of a mechanical limited-slip differential.
View Price on AmazonThe Performance Package is available as an option, which lowers the body by 5mm, increases the spring rates, and introduces a bespoke tune for the DCC dampers. The chassis also gains a more secure inboard mounting for the multi-link rear axle. With the pack, the chassis is more responsive and agile, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads.
However, the Edition 50 is not as dynamically capable as the Honda Civic Type R. The Honda has a more aggressive suspension setup and a more powerful engine, making it a better choice for track enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Edition 50 is more refined and comfortable, making it a better choice for daily driving.
Source: autocar.co.uk
