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With the ‘Your Life. Your Journey. Your Football’ attitude campaign, Volkswagen is taking a stand for equal opportunities in football as part of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. As a partner of the European Women’s Championship and a sponsor of seven of the 16 national associations taking part, the corporation is once again underlining its commitment to equality in football. A panel organised by Volkswagen on the topic of ‘Female Empowerment’ with experts in economics and sport discussed the progress in women’s football as well as the visibility of women in society.

‘We have been wholeheartedly promoting women’s football and women in football for many years now. We want to help make women more visible – in football and thereby also in society,’ highlighted Christine Wolburg, Chief Brand Officer of the Volkswagen Brand during the panel ahead of Germany’s Euro match against Denmark in Basel.

The car manufacturer’s commitment not only focusses on the peak, but also targets the breadth: thus, Volkswagen, in addition to being a partner of the UEFA Women’s EURO in Switzerland, also supports the Future Leaders in Football training programme – a platform enabling young women from around the world with a passion for football to share ideas. ‘By supporting this workshop series, we are promoting even greater female involvement in football,’ says Wolburg.

Not least thanks to the commitment of corporations like Volkswagen – whose involvement includes being an active partner of VfL Wolfsburg since 2012 – women’s football has made ‘an incredible leap forward’ within a short period of time, says former long-standing German team captain Alexandra Popp. ‘The progress that the visibility of women’s football has made in recent years is extremely positive. Within a short time frame, professionalism, quality, and awareness have been increased significantly.’

During the panel, Lisa Währer, Managing Director of FC Viktoria Berlin, highlighted the positive fact that no fewer than seven of the 16 Euro competitors have female trainers. ‘This is progress that I would also like to see in the world of work. Women are still often underrepresented in managerial positions even though they make up 50 percent of society.’

The Burda publishing house proves that there is another way: there, two women – Anke Helle and Mateja Mögel – are the editors-in-chief of the magazine ‘freundin’. ‘As a dual leadership, we want to demonstrate how women can better support each other,’ said Mögel during the panel in Basel. ‘We are living out female empowerment.’

At the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, Volkswagen’s #NotWomensFootball attitude campaign attracted international attention. With this intentionally provocative slogan, the car manufacturer pointed out that the way people speak distinguishes between football and women’s football – as if they were different sports. The attitude campaign for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 ‘Your Life. Your Journey. Your Football’ addresses the question ‘Who does football actually belong to?’. It focusses on personal relationships with football. Part of the answer is presented in a video clip in which Germany’s women’s team play an important role.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

It’s the highlight before the highlight: Volkswagen is presenting the new Golf GTI EDITION 50 at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. In 2026, the Golf GTI will celebrate its 50th anniversary, and the brand is marking this special event with this outstanding special model. With an output of 239 kW (325 PS), the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is going down in history as the most powerful production Golf GTI to date. Production of the exclusive special model is scheduled to start in Wolfsburg at the end of 2025 so the Golf GTI EDITION 50 can be delivered to customers promptly for the start of its anniversary year from the first quarter of 2026.

The Golf GTI is one of the most successful compact sports cars in the world. More than 2.5 million units have been produced worldwide to date. In time for its 50th birthday next year, Volkswagen is launching a special model with a focus on driving pleasure in the form of the Golf GTI EDITION 50. “For 50 years, the GTI has stood for more than just performance, precision and driving pleasure at Volkswagen: it is a way of life that unites our fans all over the world – and an essential element of what makes us so strong as a brand,” says Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. “With the fastest and most powerful production model to date, we are celebrating half a century of GTI passion. One thing is for sure: GTI will naturally live on in the future – without any compromises.”

First-class driving dynamics – including on the racetrack. “The Golf GTI EDITION 50 is our fastest and most powerful GTI to date. With the optional Performance package, we have taken the GTI concept to a whole new level,” explains Sebastian Willmann, Head of the Chassis Development and Driving Dynamics Department at VW. A newly tuned DCC sports chassis, a finely adjusted front differential lock and the high-precision progressive steering deliver enhanced dynamic performance in the anniversary model. The result: a particularly performance-oriented special model with its own character.

Willmann: “We have incorporated our experience from fifty years of GTI development into the optional Performance chassis. To do this, we have built on the chassis technology of the legendary Golf VII GTI Clubsport and, in combination with the new semi-slick tyres, have managed to further increase the grip level at the front axle whilst still achieving very neutral and agile handling. We are therefore not only offering our customers the most high-performance GTI ever but have also significantly improved precision when steering into bends, and made the driver’s experience even more enjoyable.”   

The record drive – round the Nordschleife track in just 7:46 min. Professional racing driver Benjamin Leuchter underlined the outstanding potential of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 on the 20.832-kilometre-long Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack. In a time of 07:46:13 minutes, the Volkswagen test and development driver drove the fastest lap ever completed in a production Golf on the circuit known as the ‘Green Hell’ in April 2025. “For me, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the most precise and sporty Volkswagen I’ve ever driven,” says Leuchter. “It reminds me a lot of the Golf GTI Clubsport S from 2016. However, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 has been systematically enhanced once again. Because it’s so intuitive and precise, I have a lot of confidence in the car and can really push it to the limit.”

More power, more agility. Volkswagen is equipping the special model with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine – a modification of the drive unit from the Golf GTI Clubsport with 221 kW (300 PS). Thanks to internal engine measures, the Volkswagen engine team have succeeded in increasing the output of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 to 239 kW (325 PS) – compared with the classic Golf GTI in the basic configuration with 195 kW (265 PS), this is an additional 44 kW (60 PS). The maximum torque of the EDITION 50 has been increased to 420 Nm. In comparison, the Golf GTI Clubsport has a maximum torque of 400 Nm, while the Golf GTI produces 370 Nm.

The chassis of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 has been further refined and adapted to the higher power. A MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear axle form the basic layout. Overall, the anniversary model is 15 mm lower than the basic configuration.

The icing on the cake – the optional GTI-Performance package. For those who like it even sportier, Volkswagen will offer the optional GTI Performance package with Performance chassis exclusively for the Golf GTI EDITION 50. Due to higher spring rates, the natural frequency at the front and rear axles has been increased by around 20 per cent. This results in better support characteristics, a much more direct response and a lower tendency to roll and pitch. With further lowering by 5 mm, the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is 20 mm lower than the standard Golf. Adapted suspension mounts optimise the response time for dynamic excitation. The package also comes with size 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres from Bridgestone on 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels as well as a lightweight R-Performance exhaust system with rear silencer in titanium. The Bridgestone tyres are a brand-new development that provide more grip with less rolling resistance and are around 1.1 kg lighter per tyre than the standard tyres. With a weight of only 8 kg per rim, the forged wheels are around 3 kg lighter than the standard 19-inch wheel rim. In addition, the Akrapovič titanium exhaust system saves a further 11 kg.

Exclusive anniversary equipment. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 boasts numerous highlights inside and out. Combined with the red seat belts, the sporty seats with check pattern, a line in Racing Green and synthetic velour elements create a high-quality ambience with a motorsport touch. The newly designed multifunction leather sports steering wheel features trim with the GTI 50 logo. Together with the integrated shift paddles for the seven-speed DSG, it offers a real motorsport feeling. The seats and steering wheel are thus the interfaces to the exceptional chassis and engine of the Golf GTI EDITION 50.

On the exterior, the GTI 50 logo is placed on the roof spoiler and the insides of the exterior mirrors. Other exclusive features include special trim on the door sills, a roof with black paintwork, black exterior mirror housings and black tailpipe trims on the exhaust system. A striking side stripe on the side members with a colour gradient from black to Tornado red additionally underlines the sporty character of the vehicle.

Five exterior colours are planned for the Golf GTI Edition 50: in addition to the characteristic Pure white, these are Moonstone grey, Grenadilla black metallic and – exclusively for the anniversary model – Dark Moss green metallic and Tornado red. Tornado red is the colour that has been synonymous with high-performance Volkswagen vehicles over the decades since 1986. Numerous top models of their time have worn the distinctive paint colour, including the Golf II GTI 16V, the Golf III VR6 and the Golf VII GTI TCR.

01. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - near-production concept car. The vehicle has not gone on sale yet. Forecast values: Combined energy consumption: 7.9-7.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 181-172 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F

02. Golf GTI - Combined energy consumption: 7.3–7.1 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 166–161 g/km; CO₂ class: F

03. Until the Golf GTI EDITION 50 can be ordered, the vehicle will be listed in the “pre-production models” category in the official list of the Nürburgring

04. Golf GTI Clubsport - Combined energy consumption: 7.7-7.3 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 174-167 g/km; CO₂ class: F

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Unique weekend of motorsport for Volkswagen at the Nürburgring: the world premiere of the new Golf GTI EDITION 50 in front of cheering fans was followed by a strong showing at the 24h race. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h driven by Benny Leuchter (Germany), Johan Kristoffersson (Sweden), Heiko Hammel (Germany) and Nico Otto (Germany) repeated last year’s success in the AT3 class for vehicles with alternative fuels, taking position 24 overall out of 135 participating vehicles. The 397 PS (291 kW) Golf GTI for the racetrack is powered by an innovative fuel consisting of 60 percent renewable raw materials. 280,000 spectators set a new attendance record for the classic endurance race, which is held in Germany’s Eifel region.

On Friday, the new Golf GTI EDITION 50 had its world premiere: the anniversary GTI in the colour Tornado red was unveiled in front of enthusiastic fans on the Ringboulevard by Martin Sander, Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at the Volkswagen brand, and Benny Leuchter, Volkswagen racing and development driver. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the fastest and most powerful production GTI Volkswagen has ever built. Leuchter recently set a new record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a pre-production vehicle with a lap time of 07:46.125 minutes.

Benny Leuchter started the 24h Nürburgring on Saturday from pole position in the AT3 class. The initial phase was marked by high summer temperatures and a power outage in the pit lane, which caused a race interruption of more than two hours. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h with start number 19 driven by Leuchter, Kristoffersson, Hammel and Otto defended its class lead all the way to the finish line on Sunday, leaving behind several significantly more powerful sports cars.

"The 24-hour race provided a great stage for celebrating the world premiere of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 and then gave the Golf GTI the chance to prove itself in the famous "Green Hell". GTI and the Nürburgring simply belong together," explained Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, who was at the Nürburgring to watch the race. "Thank you and congratulations to our team from Max Kruse Racing for all the preparation work and the excellent result. The spectators experienced a true festival of motorsport here."

"Of course, we are proud and happy to have won the class again and finished in 24th place overall with our Golf GTI," said Benny Leuchter. "It was a really hot and difficult race. Our goal was to be fast without taking too much risk. In the end, it paid off. Our Golf GTI ran like a clockwork," enthused the 37-year-old German from the Max Kruse Racing team.

Luck was unfortunately not on the side of the second Golf GTI Clubsport 24h with start number 76 driven by Jasmin Preisig (Switzerland), Fabian Vettel (Germany), Timo Hochwind (Germany) and Christian Gebhardt (Germany). After a slip off the track, grass and dirt blocked the cooling air supply, meaning that Preisig had to stop the car after 31 laps with an overheated engine.

Article source: /www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. Golf GTI Clubsport 24h - race car. The model will not be available for sale

02. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - near-production concept car. The vehicle is not yet available for sale. Forecast values: Combined energy consumption: 7.9–7.5 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 181–172 g/km; CO₂ class: F

03. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - near-production concept car. The vehicle has not gone on sale yet. Forecast values: Combined energy consumption: 7.9-7.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 181-172 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F

04. Until the Golf GTI EDITION 50 is available for order, the vehicle will be listed in the "pre-production models" category in the official list of the Nürburgring 

05. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - near-production concept car. The vehicle has not gone on sale yet. Forecast values: Combined energy consumption: 7.9-7.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 181-172 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F. Golf GTI Clubsport 24h - race car. The model will not be available for sale

Not yet on the market and already a record holder: on 20 June 2025, Volkswagen will present the world premiere of the new Golf GTI EDITION 50 at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. The most powerful production GTI to date is the exclusive anniversary model for the 50th anniversary of the compact sports car icon. The birthday celebration will take place in 2026 – in parallel with the market entry of the new model. But the Golf GTI EDITION 50 has already written itself into the history books of the Nürburgring and the Volkswagen brand: racing driver Benny Leuchter (D) completed a lap of the Nordschleife with a near-production test vehicle of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 in just 07:46:13 minutes. A new record – never before has a Volkswagen with road approval been faster on the Nürburgring.

“The new Golf GTI EDITION 50 is a statement with which Volkswagen expresses the pure GTI idea – the combination of superior drive power and highly precise chassis with front-wheel drive – more effectively than ever before,” explains Benny Leuchter after his record-breaking drive. The racing driver, who has been testing and tuning the chassis of new models for the Development department of the Volkswagen brand for many years, set this new record time during the official record drive of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 at the Nürburgring. “It’s truly impressive how easily this Volkswagen can be moved so quickly over the Nordschleife track,” says Leuchter. “In technical terms the car was the same as the version that will be sold in the future,” points out Leuchter. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 will be optionally available with a Performance package, which includes a performance chassis and particularly lightweight 19-inch semi-slick Potenza Race tyres from Bridgestone, which have been specially developed for the car. The tyres are mounted on likewise very lightweight forged wheels, which noticeably reduces the unsprung and rotating masses. “The record car was equipped with this package – that was the decisive factor in my opinion,” adds Leuchter.

Nordschleife setup. “The entire setup of the Golf GTI EDITION 50 means you can drive the ideal line of the Nordschleife with high precision,” explains Benny Leuchter. The racing driver continues: "If you really want to be fast on the track known as the ‘Green Hell’, the car also has to compensate for the typical bumps in the ground and reach very high cornering speeds. This is exactly what the Golf GTI EDITION 50 achieves in perfection. The aplomb with which it masters the peculiarities of the legendary Nordschleife is cool: the GTI is instantly stable over the entire 20.8 kilometres."

One of the world’s most agile front-wheel drive vehicles. Almost ten years ago, Benny Leuchter drove a Golf GTI Clubsport S02 (228 kW/310 PS) to set the firstVolkswagen lap record on the Nordschleife at a VW internal timekeeping: the time shown on the stopwatch was 07:49:21 minutes – never before had a VW front-wheel drive production vehicle been faster on the Nordschleife. In 2022, Leuchter beat his own best time with the all-wheel drive Golf R 20 Years03 (245 kW/333 PS): 07:47:31. It's important to note: For both of the aforementioned records, the timed lap on the Nürburgring Nordschleife started flying in front of grandstand T13. The start and finish for the measurement were at the beginning and end of the grandstand, respectively; the approximately 200 meters in between were not counted. The official lap time of 07:46:13 for the Golf GTI EDITION 50 includes this distance. For better comparability, a look at the on-board camera installed during the record run provides a time of 07:41:27 for the comparable lap. Leuchter: “Three years ago, I wouldn’t have thought that I could ever beat the lap time of the outstanding Golf R03 with a front-wheel drive Golf GTI01 as clearly as I have now. The fact that this has now happened – in quite bad weather, by the way – actually says everything about the successful setup and extraordinary potential of this GTI01.” Until the Golf GTI EDITION 50 can be ordered, the vehicle will be listed in the "Pre-Series Models" category in the official Nürburgring listing.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

01. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - near-production concept car

02. Golf GTI Clubsport S - the vehicle is no longer offered as a new car

03. Golf R 20 Years - the vehicle is no longer offered as a new car