In 1976, the Golf GTI turned the sports car world upside down. One of the first and most successful hot hatches ever created, with over 2.5 million global sales, it has persisted as one of Volkswagen’s most recognisable models.
Now, in 2026, the German marque is set to celebrate the iconic GTI’s 50th anniversary at a range of national and international classic car events.
Later this month, the festivities will kick off at Rétromobile in Paris from January 28 to February 1. Fittingly, the classic car show at the Port de Versailles is also celebrating its 50th birthday in 2026.
The Golf GTI will also sit on a starring stage at the Bremen Classic Motorshow almost concurrently from January 30 to February 2.
Limited-run ‘EDITION 50’ set to be launched in honour of the Golf GTI’s legacy
While the enduring hot hatch is set to be shown some love at various shows, Volkswagen is also launching a limited-production Golf GTI ‘EDITION 50’ during 2026.
Based on the current Mk8.5 GTI, it’s poised to be the most powerful of its kind yet with an immense 239kW (325PS) on tap from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.
The anniversary model is already available to order in some European markets, with the first units to be delivered in 2026.
Having also applied the GTI badge to the smaller Polo hatch, the brand is also gearing up to reveal the first battery electric GTI model this year – the ID. Polo GTI – which is set to offer 166kW (226PS).
Volkswagen also offers a plug-in hybrid Golf GTE in overseas markets, along with a diesel GTD. A fully electric ‘e-Golf’ was offered outside Australia during the Mk7 generation, although no performance electric model has yet been offered.
Where the Golf GTI legend began
Although often trumpeted that the Golf GTI was the first hot hatch – in Volkswagen’s words, “the original in its class” – that’s not strictly the case.
While less remembered or recognised, the Simca 1100 Ti and Renault 5 Alpine technically preceded it, the latter by mere weeks. However, of hotted-up front-wheel drive cars with a true rear hatch, the fuel-injected Mk1 Golf GTI was the first to truly nail the recipe.
At its 1976 launch, a mere 5000 units were intended for production. However, with its red grille surround, black wheel arch extensions, humorous ‘golf ball’ shift knob, and of course an 81kW (110PS) engine, dealers sold 10 times the planned number of vehicles in year one alone.
Across the entire first generation, a total of 461,690 Golf GTIs were built. Managing to be both a precise sports car and economical daily driver all in one, priced at a very reasonable DM13,850 at launch, it was billed by media at the time as the vehicle that democratised sports cars.
With 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 182km/h, it was certainly up there for its time, leaving behind numerous sports cars of the day that cost around twice the price.
Since then, the brand has continuously refined the recipe from the following Mk2 GTI all the way through to the most recent Mk8.5 on sale today. It has regularly been a star of the brand’s best-known advertising campaigns, and still remains a popular vehicle despite the modern market’s preference for SUVs.
