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The Volkswagen Golf GTI (VWAGY) turns 50 this year. More than 2.5 million units have been produced to date, according to Volkswagen.*The anniversary will be celebrated with a variety of national and international events, and of course an exclusive anniversary model Golf GTI EDITION 50 [footnote 1 below. There will also be world premiere of the first all-electric GTI. But it will be smaller than compact- size versions of a sporty car – AutoCrat.]**
“A success story since 1976. When the Golf GTI was launched in 1976, no one could have guessed that the 81 kW (110 PS) Volkswagen, with its red grille surround, black wheel arch extensions and golf ball gear knob, would soon become the world’s most successful compact sports car. Only 5,000 units were planned, but in the first year alone dealers sold 10 times as many vehicles. In total, 461,690 first-generation Golf GTI cars were built,” Volkswagen said.
“It was the unusual overall package that struck a chord: a highly precise sports car for lonely Alpine passes and, at the same time, a practical companion for every day of the year, extremely economical and instantly a timeless style icon. The price was also a hit: 13,850 Deutschmarks in Germany. The media spoke of the democratization of the sports car. And indeed, the performance of the 182 km/h Volkswagen was impressive: with a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.0 seconds, the 1976 Golf GTI left behind numerous sports cars and coupes that were easily 10,000 Deutschmarks more expensive,” Volkswagen said.
The celebrations kick off 28 January to 1 February in Paris at Rétromobile. The classic car show at the Port de Versailles will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2026, as well. The first German show for classic vehicles begins in the Hanseatic city of Bremen: the Bremen Classic Motorshow. Here, the Golf GTI will be in the spotlight from 30 January to 2 February.
The marketing of this world-famous product brand in the anniversary year 2026 is the Golf GTI EDITION 50 – the most powerful production Golf GTI to date, with 239 kW (325 PS). The anniversary model is available to order in some European markets, with the first units to be delivered in 2026.
Brand Extension
VW is now taking the GTI name to another model series with the Polo GTI. In 2026, a new Polo GTI will have 166 kW (226 PS), it will transfer the GTI philosophy into electric drive for the first electric GTI.
*AutoInformed on
*Inevitable GTI Footnotes
- Golf GTI EDITION 50 – combined fuel consumption: 7.9–7.6 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 179–173 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F.
- Near-production concept car. The model is not yet available for sale.
- Golf GTI – combined fuel consumption 7.3-7.0 l/100km; combined CO₂-emissions:
- 166-160 g/km; CO₂ class F.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Milestones – 50 Years of the VW Golf GTI
Click for more.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI (VWAGY) turns 50 this year. More than 2.5 million units have been produced to date, according to Volkswagen.*The anniversary will be celebrated with a variety of national and international events, and of course an exclusive anniversary model Golf GTI EDITION 50 [footnote 1 below. There will also be world premiere of the first all-electric GTI. But it will be smaller than compact- size versions of a sporty car – AutoCrat.]**
“A success story since 1976. When the Golf GTI was launched in 1976, no one could have guessed that the 81 kW (110 PS) Volkswagen, with its red grille surround, black wheel arch extensions and golf ball gear knob, would soon become the world’s most successful compact sports car. Only 5,000 units were planned, but in the first year alone dealers sold 10 times as many vehicles. In total, 461,690 first-generation Golf GTI cars were built,” Volkswagen said.
“It was the unusual overall package that struck a chord: a highly precise sports car for lonely Alpine passes and, at the same time, a practical companion for every day of the year, extremely economical and instantly a timeless style icon. The price was also a hit: 13,850 Deutschmarks in Germany. The media spoke of the democratization of the sports car. And indeed, the performance of the 182 km/h Volkswagen was impressive: with a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.0 seconds, the 1976 Golf GTI left behind numerous sports cars and coupes that were easily 10,000 Deutschmarks more expensive,” Volkswagen said.
The celebrations kick off 28 January to 1 February in Paris at Rétromobile. The classic car show at the Port de Versailles will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2026, as well. The first German show for classic vehicles begins in the Hanseatic city of Bremen: the Bremen Classic Motorshow. Here, the Golf GTI will be in the spotlight from 30 January to 2 February.
The marketing of this world-famous product brand in the anniversary year 2026 is the Golf GTI EDITION 50 – the most powerful production Golf GTI to date, with 239 kW (325 PS). The anniversary model is available to order in some European markets, with the first units to be delivered in 2026.
Brand Extension
VW is now taking the GTI name to another model series with the Polo GTI. In 2026, a new Polo GTI will have 166 kW (226 PS), it will transfer the GTI philosophy into electric drive for the first electric GTI.
*AutoInformed on
*Inevitable GTI Footnotes
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.