VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI ANNIVERSARY EDITION 50. Short new car news.

Volkswagen is marking 50 years of its iconic GTI badge with the launch of the Golf GTI Edition 50, a special edition model that also claims the title of the fastest and most powerful production Golf ever built. Order books open on the 15th January, given enthusiasts the chance to secure a piece of modern GTI history.

At the heart of the Golf GTI Edition 50 lies a 2.0 litre TFS petrol engine producing 325 PS and 420 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Performance figures are suitably impressive with 0 to 62 mph dispatched in just 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph.

To match its extra pace, the Golf GTI Edition 50 benefits from uprated suspension and a ride height that sits 15 mm lower than a standard Golf GTI, while overall weight remains comparable to the current Golf GTI Clubsport (1,930 kg).

For you drivers out there seeking a more focused experience, Volkswagen offers an optional Performance Package. This further reduces weight and adds semi-slick tyres, striking forged Warmenau 19-inch black alloy wheels, twin Akrapovič exhaust system and a lowered suspension setup. The Golf GTI Edition 50 also introduces a dedicated Nürburgring Track driving mode, enhancing its credentials as a driver focused hot hatch.

Visually, the Golf GTI Edition 50 can be specified in a new optional Dark Moss green metallic paint alongside the classic Tornado red colour that nods to the model’s heritage.

With its blend of performance, modern technology and retro inspired appeal, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 stands as a fitting tribute to half a century of the Golf GTI name.

Prices in the UK start from £47.995.00

I have a funny feeling that Volkswagen dealerships will have no trouble shifting the new Golf GTI Edition 50 when order books open on Thursday. It already looks like a future classic and I can only see values remaining strong.