Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 13 March 2026
Volkswagen New Zealand has confirmed an allocation of the Golf GTI 50th anniversary edition for local customers.
Despite this confirmation, it seems fans will have to get in quick as stocks seem to be quite limited.
In an email, a representative from Volkswagen New Zealand confirmed “we will be receiving a very limited number of units of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 soon.”
Dubbed the Golf GTI EDITION 50, this special edition celebrates 50 years of Volkswagen’s most iconic performance model.
To mark this milestone, the 50th Edition is the most powerful Golf GTI ever sold, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre pumping out 239kW and 420Nm.
This represents a 44kW/50Nm increase over the standard GTI, and almost puts it equal with the Golf R with its 245kW/420Nm.
In true GTI fashion, it retains its front-wheel drive layout, and it will hit 100km/h from a standing start in 5.3-seconds.
It also rides 15mm lower on forged 19-inch alloy wheels that, together with Bridgestone Potenza Race semislick tyres, reduce unsprung weight by 8kg. An Akrapovic titanium exhaust system subtracts another 11kg off the total weight compared with the GTI Clubsport.
Styling changes are relatively restrained. There are two heritage colour options not available on standard Golf GTIs, Moss Green and Tornado Red.
