Volkswagen Golf GTI just set a new Nurburgring record
What's the story
Volkswagen's Golf GTI Edition 50 has set a new record for the fastest front-wheel drive production car at the Nurburgring. The hot hatch, which boasts of a powerful 320hp engine, completed the iconic German circuit in just 7 minutes and 44.52 seconds. The achievement was made by development driver Benjamin Leuchter who beat Honda Civic Type R's previous record of 7:44.88 set in 2023.
Lap specifics
The same configuration was used for a previous attempt
The record-breaking lap by the Golf GTI Edition 50 was completed on the longer 20.832-kilometer version of the Nordschleife circuit. This is the same configuration that VW used for its previous attempt at setting a record in the car last year. At that time, it had become Volkswagen's fastest production model at Nurburgring with a time of 7:46.13 but couldn't beat Honda Civic Type R's front-wheel-drive record.
Market outlook
The Golf GTI Edition 50 was priced at €54,540
The Golf GTI Edition 50 was priced at €54,540 (roughly $64,220) in Germany before options. However, it is no longer available for configuration as VW prepares to launch an electric hot hatch under the GTI badge later this year. Despite the discontinuation of gasoline-powered hot hatches like the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R, VW has promised to keep producing the Golf GTI well into the 2030s.