The VW Golf GTI Edition 50 is the most powerful production GTI ever made

Meet the Golf GTI Edition 50. We already knew it was Volkswagen’s fastest ever production car around the Nürburgring in the hands of, er, the extremely handy Benny Leuchter, and now we discover it’s the most powerful production GTI in its 50-year history.

So, let’s have at those numbers. It gets a tuned version of VW’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA888 petrol engine for 321bhp/310lb ft total outputs, up on the Golf GTI Clubsport’s 296bhp/295lb ft and up even more on the standard Golf GTI’s 261bhp/273lb ft.

Indeed, it’s only slightly down on the all-wheel-drive Golf R’s 328bhp, with which it shares the same torque figure. And it’s already beaten that car around the ‘Ring. All that power helps it see off the zero to 62mph sprint in five and a half seconds.

Volkswagen has retuned the DCC adaptive dampers, adjusted the front differential lock and revised the steering, while the optional GTI Performance Package sees a tweaked suspension setup including 20 per cent stiffer springs, sitting 20mm lower than the GTI and 5mm lower the GTI Clubsport.

There’s also new shoes in the shape of lightweight 19in forged alloy wheels on semi-slick tyres – reportedly saving around 4kg per corner – plus an Akrapovič titanium exhaust that saves a further 11kg. Not bad for a summer shred.

Looks the part too, with VW having given its 50-year anniversary special the glow up treatment in the form of a black roof, mirrors and exhaust pipes, plus GTI 50 decals on the mirrors and spoiler. Five colours are available, including Moss Green and Tornado Red, the latter worn by various Golf GTIs in the past.

No word on how many will be built, or how much it’s going to cost, but expect a slight hike over the existing Golf GTI Clubsport’s £43,215 starting price. Tempted?