Volkswagen knows how to throw a birthday bash, and this time, it’s kicking things off a year early. The Golf GTI will turn 50 in 2026, but rather than waiting, VW is bringing a special GTI model to the Nürburgring 24-hour race this June. After all, nothing says “celebration” like launching a new hot hatch on one of the toughest tracks in the world.
The Nürburgring event (June 19-22) will see over 230,000 motorsport fans gather at the legendary Nordschleife. Volkswagen plans to make its presence felt, not just with the new GTI special model but also with its R performance lineup, including the all-wheel-drive Golf R, Golf R Variant, and the stealthy Golf R Black Edition.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a proper Nürburgring weekend without some GTIs tearing up the track. The Max Kruse Racing team is back with two Golf GTI Clubsport 24h cars, hoping to defend last year’s class victory. Familiar names like Benny Leuchter and Fabian Vettel (yes, Sebastian Vettel’s younger brother) will be behind the wheel, pushing these front-wheel-drive beasts to their limits.
Before race day, the team has been busy fine-tuning in Portugal and competing in Nürburgring endurance races to get everything dialed in. Expect plenty of high-speed action as the GTI legacy continues to make its mark on the ‘Green Hell.’
Pricing and specs for the new GTI special model remain under wraps, but given Volkswagen’s track record, it’s safe to expect more power, sharper handling, and a proper send-off for the beloved hot hatch.
Images: Volkswagen.
