Golf GTI 50th anniversary in 2026: Edition 50 and the first electric GTI

Volkswagen is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Golf GTI in 2026, pairing the milestone with the launch of special editions. First shown in 1976, the Golf GTI helped define the hot-hatch movement, and more than 2.5 million have been sold worldwide. For a nameplate with that kind of legacy, the timing feels exactly right.

The centerpiece will be the Golf GTI Edition 50, billed as the most powerful production GTI to date. Its engine is rated at 239 kW, or 325 hp. Orders are already open in parts of Europe, with first customer deliveries planned for 2026. The figures underline the car’s brief: a proper celebration model rather than a mere styling exercise.

At the same time, Volkswagen has confirmed its first fully electric GTI: the ID. Polo GTI, set to debut in 2026. The electric setup will produce 166 kW, or 226 hp, with a focus on preserving the sporting character long associated with the GTI badge. It’s a clear signal that the GTI ethos is being readied for the next era—continuity rather than rupture.

The anniversary program will kick off at Retromobile in Paris from January 28 to February 1, then continue at the Bremen Classic Motorshow. These events will open the season of European classic-car shows and underscore the Golf GTI’s role in Volkswagen’s past and future, including the sports-car space in 2026. A neat bridge between heritage and what comes next.