The Golf GTI has just turned 50 years old. To celebrate, Volkswagen has gone all-out to produce not just the fastest GTI ever, but the fastest Golf – R included.
Called the GTI Edition 50, the new über Golf has just lapped the Nürburgring in 7:46.13. That’s faster than a BMW M2 Competition (F87), and on par with the Mercedes-AMG C63 Black Series, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, and the 641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Not bad for a front-wheel-drive hot hatch. VW hasn’t confirmed how many will come to the UK, but numbers are expected to be limited, and carrying a price tag to match.
But if you’re already driving a Mk8 GTI and love the look – and performance – of the Edition 50, why not build your own that can challenge the special edition around the Nordschleife?
First of all, let’s address the power deficit. For the Edition 50, output has been juiced up to near Golf R levels, with the EA888 motor now producing 321bhp and 420Nm of torque.
In its standard form, the Mk8 Golf GTI knocks out 242bhp and 370Nm of torque, while the 2023 Mk8.5 massaged those numbers to 261bhp and 400Nm. Paired with the standard 7sp dual clutch transmission, that’s enough to go from 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds.
But the edition 50 does it in 5.5s, and can hit a top speed of 168mph. So let’s find – or even exceed – the missing 60bhp.
Remapping a Mk8 isn’t quite as straightforward as the Mk7. While they share an engine, VW made a strategic switch for the Mk8, using different turbochargers for the GTI and Golf R. This also means different intake set ups, and different downpipes for each model, so you need to order your parts carefully.
The good news is you can still hit Edition 50 power with a straightforward stage 1, which should see outputs rise to 320bhp and circa 475Nm – the latter comfortably outperforming the new king GTI. And it’ll still drive like it’s come straight off the production line at Wolfsburg.
For owners who don’t want to jeopardise their VW warranty, the option of a piggyback box is a valid solution. Whilst it doesn’t hit the peak numbers of a direct ECU tune, it still provides a useful boost, and leaves no trace once removed - unlike a remap.
Our choice would be UK-based developer Bluespark, whose Mk8 GTI box reliably ups the ante to 280bhp and 418Nm of torque from as little as £190. Best of all? The Bluespark has a no hassle, 30 day money back guarantee.
But the EA888 has plenty more to give, and going stage 2 unlocks that potential. You’ll just need some supporting mods, then you’ll be knocking on the door of 400bhp after a session on the dyno.
For a quote on Mk8 GTI remapping, the experts at our sister company Xatrix can provide a custom tune, complete with before and after rolling road results.
More air going into the engine equals more power, so we’ve picked out two proven intakes, both available through ML Performance.
Chosen for its 5* rating with ML Performance customers, the MST is favoured for bringing noticeable improvements to induction sound, throttle response and engine-bay aesthetics.
It features a closed box design with a much bigger air filter over stock, to not only improve flow, but ensure its cold air being fed into the combustion chamber.
Another five-star product, this work of art features a carbon fibre airbox and utilises Eventuri’s patented ‘Venturi housing’ to bring proven results. Fed by a direct cold-air feed, the restrictive standard 73mm diameter inlet tube is replaced with a larger 94mm diameter tube intake tube, followed by a CFD-optimised silicone inlet hose. The net result is a 42 percent increase in airflow over the standard airbox.
The Eventuri produces independently verified gains of 12bhp and 13Nm on a standard engine. However, the airbox really comes alive with a remap, where the gains for the intake alone amount to 20bhp and 30Nm, sustained for over 50 percent of the rpm range.
Deciding on a downpipe comes down to whether you want to go for a decat or sports cat.
On modern cars, emissions are everything. In order to comply, most cars these days feature a catalytic converter placed as closely as possible to the engine block. This ensures the cat warms up to operating temperature sooner, curbing emissions.
The problem is this also creates a bottleneck for exhaust gasses making their bid for freedom. A larger diameter down pipe reduces or removes this road block, resulting in increased power. We recommend a sports cat to ensure MOT-friendly emissions compliance - decats are best reserved for track use, and they’ll often require a remap to avoid triggering an EML.
Whilst we’re on the subject of exhausts, the Edition 50 features an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, which swaps the standard black tips for a pair of silver outlets whilst saving a useful 11kg of mass.
Our suggested alternative is crafted by renowned Austrian exhaust manufacturer Remus. Order the following parts to complete a Remus VW MK8 Golf GTI GPF-back Exhaust System with Dual Tailpipes:
Despite the Mk8 being known as a very capable platform, it hasn’t quite won the same acclaim as the Mk7 has in the handling department.
Part of the Edition 50’s remit is to correct this, adopting heavily revised spring rates which drop the car by 15mm – or 20mm if you opt for the even more hardcore Performance Package. The adaptive DCC dampers have been revised to suit, there’s new suspension mounts, and finally, more aggressive geometry to sharpen up the steering.
VW has also bolted on some lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels made by Warmenau, wrapped in serious trackday-spec Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres.
Naturally, the Edition 50 features some added cosmetic aggression to differentiate itself from the regular GTI, with a black contrast roof, and special badging on top of the 8.5’s more aggressive aero.
Opting for a tasteful OEM+ kit from the likes of Maxton Design - another five star rated product - will help your GTI stand out from the crowd:
The Golf GTI Edition 50 is a fitting tribute to five decades of hot hatch excellence. But with limited supply and a premium price, it might be out of reach. Luckily, with the right upgrades, your Mk8 GTI can match – or even eclipse – the Edition 50 around the Nürburgring.
From proven intakes and exhausts to suspension and styling, ML Performance and Xatrix can help you build a GTI that’s faster, sharper, and tailored to your vision.
