Take that Honda! VW has snatched the front-wheel drive Nürburgring record

Volkswagen has set a new Nürburgring record for front-wheel drive production vehicles, with its Golf GTI Edition 50 clocking a really rather rapid time of 7m 44.523s in the very capable hands of Benny Leuchter.

That just pips the 7m 44.881s recorded by Honda’s FL5 Civic Type R back in 2023, and it could be very good news for hot hatch fans. Surely Honda won’t let this go without a fight?

You may remember that the Edition 50 was already the fastest Volkswagen production car around the ‘Ring, having set a time of 7m 46.13s last year, but that was when the track was damp. Of course they had to go back for another go.

The Edition 50 is also the most powerful production Golf GTI ever, with its 2.0-litre turbo four-pot sending 321bhp and 310lb ft of torque to the front axle. There’s also an optional GTI Performance Package that the record-setting car was equipped with, which means you get a further 5mm suspension drop, plus a lightweight exhaust system, forged 19in wheels and sticky Bridgestone semi-slick tyres.

“The Nordschleife is unique with its bends, very different sections, bumps and even jumps,” said Leuchter after his record-setting lap. “And the same is true for this GTI: with impressive power, a very neutral set-up and at the same time the ability to take any bumps in its stride.

"The Golf GTI Edition 50 is therefore more than just an anniversary model: it shows what performance in the compact segment can feel like when technical expertise, passion and 50 years of GTI history come together.”

Your move, Honda.