On of the world’s most successful compact sports car, the Golf GTI has turned 50. The original in its class. More than 2.5 million units have been produced to date. In 2026, the Golf GTI will turn 50 – and Volkswagen will be celebrating this milestone with a variety of national and international classic events, exclusive anniversary model Golf GTI EDITION 50, and the world premiere of the first all-electric GTI.
A success story since 1976. When the Golf GTI was first launched in 1976, no one could have guessed that the 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 itself dealers sold 10 times as many vehicles. In total, 461,690 first-generation Golf GTI cars were built.
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 major USP, the compact sports car with a top speed of 182 km/h was merely priced at 13,850 Deutschmarks in Germany. Other sports cars and coupés were about 10,000 Deutschmarks expensive. The first gen VW Golf GTI sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds.
For the last 50 years and looking ahead, the DNA of the Volkswagen Golf GTI remains distinctive. The seamless combination of a responsive engine, lightweight front-wheel drive, a well-balanced chassis, comfortable sports seats, and a sharp, minimalist design continues to define the Golf GTI today. Volkswagen has meticulously honed this blend over five decades, establishing the Golf GTI as one of a genuine sports car and the pioneer in its category. Nowadays, when people refer to a GTI, they are essentially talking about Volkswagen.
Celebrating this iconic brand in 2026 is the Golf GTI EDITION 50, the most potent production Golf GTI to date, boasting 325 PS. This special edition can already be ordered in selected European markets, with deliveries set to begin in 2026. Volkswagen has also demonstrated that the GTI concept thrives in other model lines, particularly with the Polo GTI. In 2026, a new Polo GTI will emerge, the ID. Polo GTI. With 226 PS, it will usher the GTI philosophy into the era of electric drives—making it an ideal year for the debut of the first electric GTI.
The first five decades of the GTI will be the focus of various major classic events in 2026. The celebrations kick off from 28 January to 1 February in Paris at Rétromobile. The classic car show at the Porte de Versailles will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2026, just like the Golf GTI. Almost simultaneously, 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. Both shows are therefore not only the opening events for the European classic season 2026, but also for the GTI year 2026.