Latest news with #BennyLeuchter
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Everything you need to know about the new VW Golf GTI Edition 50
Volkswagen has unveiled its new Golf GTI Edition 50. Built to celebrate the German hot hatch's golden anniversary, it is the fastest and most powerful production GTI model to date, thanks to a specially tuned 2.0 l four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 239kW and 420Nm of torque. It comes paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The Edition 50 rides 15mm lower than the standard GTI and is available with an optional Performance package that drops the chassis an extra 5mm lower to the asphalt for even better cornering characteristics. Ticking this box also gives you higher spring rates, adapted spring mounts, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system and 19" 'Warmenau' forged wheels shod with newly developed Bridgestone 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres. The latter, according to VW, are 1.1kg lighter than a standard tyre. On the outside, the Edition 50 differentiates itself from its lesser GTI sibling with a black roof, black exterior mirror housings and black exhaust tailpipe finishers. Other exclusive garnish includes a GTI 50 logo on the roof spoiler and insides of the exterior mirrors, special trim on the door sills and a side stripe on the side members with a colour gradient from black to Tornado red. Five striking exterior colours are on offer: Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Dark Moss Green Metallic and Tornado Red. The cabin features a racier ambience with sport seats upholstered in a check pattern that pays homage to the original GTI that broke cover in 1976. Other tasty mods come in the form of red seat belts and a multifunction leather sports steering wheel with a GTI 50 logo. Though VW hasn't dropped any official performance figures, it has confirmed that the Edition 50 set a lap time of 7:46.13 seconds around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with racing driver Benny Leuchter behind the wheel. That's quicker than Leuchter's previous record in the 245kW Golf R '20 Years' edition in 2022 by just over a second, and more than three seconds faster than his 2016 lap in the GTI Clubsport S (228kW). Impressive stuff. Production of the Golf GTI Edition 50 will begin at the end of 2025 with first deliveries expected to commence at the start of its anniversary year from the first quarter of 2026.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 Sets Record At Nurburgring
Volkswagen has introduced a new model in its production lineup with the Golf GTI Edition 50, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its iconic hot hatch badge. The near-production version, driven by Volkswagen test and race driver Benny Leuchter, completed a lap of the full 20.8 km Nurburgring Nordschleife in an impressive 7 minutes and 46.13 seconds. On a slightly shorter 20.6 km layout, excluding the T13 grandstand run-off, the car recorded an even faster time of 7 minutes and 41.27 seconds. The Golf GTI Edition 50 is now the fastest road-legal Volkswagen around the Nurburgring, although it still falls short of the ID.R, a 680-horsepower track-only electric prototype that recorded a lap time of 6 minutes and 5.336 seconds in 2019, which remains the all-time record for the German carmaker at the circuit. Golf GTI Edition 50: Powertrain The Golf GTI Edition 50 is powered by a 2.0-litre EA888 turbo-petrol engine, tuned to deliver 324 hp, which is about 60 hp more than the standard GTI. The engine is mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. The test vehicle was equipped with Volkswagen's optional Performance Package, featuring lightweight 19-inch forged wheels, Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyre, and revised suspension and chassis settings, an upgrade that Leuchter described as "the decisive factor" in the car's Nurburgring performance. Benny Leuchter testing the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 Golf GTI Edition 50: Comments Benny Leuchter further stated, "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 kilometers." Golf GTI Edition 50: Availability Volkswagen has announced that the Golf GTI Edition 50 will officially debut on June 20, 2025, just before the Nurburgring 24-hour race. While the full specifications have yet to be released, global deliveries are expected to begin in 2026. As a limited-run, anniversary model, it is unlikely to be available in markets like India.
Top Gear
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
VW's ‘Ring record breaker: 'One of the best laps I've ever driven'
Hot Hatch TG speaks to Benny Leuchter, fresh off the back of his latest Green Hell record lap time Skip 5 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Advertisement - Page continues below 'It feels amazing," he said, just moments after stepping out of the car. "I think with these conditions today, I was not expecting that lap time to be honest. I knew the potential of the car from testing, but even so this is the fastest lap time we've seen. 'I squeezed out everything from the car. I knew after the first sector there wasn't much grip in the track, there was only potential for a proper lap time if I pushed in the fast corners very hard… that lap was phenomenal.' You might like What makes it all the more impressive is that Benny had just one attempt to set the record following heavy rain overnight, with the team having spent the entire morning waiting (and praying) for the track to dry out. So, could he have gone any quicker? 'On the Nordschleife you can always find time, in perfect conditions I think there is potential for two and a half seconds [faster], but I think that lap I put down today was one of the best laps I've ever driven. Advertisement - Page continues below 'I was just saying to Florian [Umbach, head of vehicle dynamics], I think my stress level was the highest it's been in the past five years. I was really, really committed.' Where does he think the most improvements have been made compared to the record breaking Golfs of past gone by? 'If I look back now, especially the steering and reaction of the car, this car is much quicker, it offers much more feel for the driver, so I can squeeze out more of the car. I have a better connection to the car. 'The Clubsport S particularly was quite wild [comparatively], this car is a little bit more calm, but you can push it easier on the limit. I think an unexperienced driver is much faster with this car than a Clubsport S.' Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. And given the 13-mile, 154-corner track, how does he stay 100 per cent focused throughout the lap and make sure he's hitting the correct line every time? 'Enjoyment. With enjoyment, everything comes from itself. I enjoy the car, and as a driver if you enjoy the car, you're happy to drive it to the limit. 'For me it's very nice looking back where everything started. My first ever car was a GTI Mk6, my mother drove a GTI, I set a lap record with the Clubsport S, now I set a lap record with the 50 Years Edition, so it's really nice for me.' Some kind of celebration must surely be in order. 'I've been monitoring my body weight a lot the past two weeks," says Benny, "so today it's a nice pizza or steak, I don't care! It's another race weekend this weekend for me, so a little bit of celebration, but tomorrow focus on race weekend.' And not long after that, another blummin' record no doubt...
India Today
4 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
This is the fastest Volkswagen production model on the Nordschleife track
Volkswagen's upcoming hot hatch, the Golf GTI Edition 50, has made headlines even before its official launch by becoming the fastest road-legal VW to lap Germany's Nrburgring Nordschleife. Professional racing driver Benny Leuchter clocked a lap time of 07:46.13 minutes, making the upcoming special edition GTI the most capable front-wheel-drive Volkswagen on the iconic 20.8-kilometre to debut globally on June 20, 2025, during the 24-hour race weekend at the Nrburgring, the Golf GTI Edition 50 marks the 50th anniversary of the GTI nameplate, with customer deliveries expected to begin in 2026. Volkswagen says the new model represents the 'pure GTI idea' — a combination of powerful front-wheel drive, precise chassis tuning, and track-honed new Nrburgring benchmark The upcoming special edition GTI the most capable front-wheel-drive Volkswagen on the iconic 20.8-kilometre track. According to Volkswagen, the record-setting GTI was equipped with an optional performance package, featuring a specially developed performance chassis, 19-inch Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres, and lightweight forged wheels. This setup, Leuchter said, was key to the car's ability to handle the Nrburgring's demanding corners, undulating surfaces, and high-speed sections. 'It's truly impressive how easily this Volkswagen can be moved so quickly over the Nordschleife,' said Leuchter. 'The entire set-up allows you to drive the ideal line with high precision. Even in difficult weather, the GTI remained stable across the entire track.'Historic leap in GTI performance Benny Leuchter clocked a lap time of 07:46.13 minutes. advertisementThis isn't the first time Leuchter has set records in a GTI. Back in 2016, he lapped the Nrburgring in a Golf GTI Clubsport S (310PS) in 07:49.21 minutes, and in 2022, he set a 07:47.31 record in the all-wheel-drive Golf R 20 Years. However, the Edition 50's lap, which includes the 200 meters between grandstand T13's start and finish lines, is a more holistic measure. Excluding that distance (to match prior laps), the GTI Edition 50's lap is even quicker: 07:41.27 minutes, as seen in the on-board footage.'Three years ago, I wouldn't have thought a front-wheel-drive GTI could beat the Golf R's time so decisively,' said Leuchter. 'That it happened — in less-than-ideal weather — speaks volumes about this car's potential.'A celebration of GTI legacyWhile final specs are yet to be confirmed, the Golf GTI Edition 50 is expected to be the most powerful production GTI to date. It will arrive with exclusive design elements and advanced performance upgrades to celebrate five decades of one of the world's most iconic hot its commercial release in 2026, the Edition 50 will be listed in the "Pre-Series Models" category in the Nrburgring official to Auto Today Magazine
Top Gear
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
The new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is its fastest-ever car around the ‘Ring
Hot Hatch It's slam-dunked on the Golf R by over a second, thanks to an upgraded chassis, tyres and aero kit Skip 5 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Volkswagen is celebrating half a century of the Golf GTI next year with this legacy-surfing Edition 50 of the Mk8.5, which is now officially its fastest-ever car around the Nürburgring. The lap time (7m 46.13s) was over a second quicker than the current Golf R (7m 47.31s)... awks. And it was set by a near-production-ready version of the Edition 50 on its first and only attempt, due to poor weather conditions. Impressive. Advertisement - Page continues below Changes are being kept hush for now, but we do know a Performance Package will be offered, which brings improvements to the chassis and semi-slick Bridgestone Potenza tyres developed specifically for this car. Forged 19in lightweight alloys are supplied too, reducing unsprung and rotating mass - ideal for sharp cornering. According to VW test driver, Benny Leuchter, the Performance pack was a "decisive" factor in hitting that record time. You might like Other differences include extra attachments for the front bumper, a sleek extension to the trim above the lower grille and a sharper fin just ahead of it. The body kit gets a black finish for an angrier look, and the connecting light bar between the front lamps has changed from red to white. No proper rear images have been provided, though we can spot what appears to be a slightly extended wing back there. Advertisement - Page continues below Technical info is also being held back for now, but we're expecting a slight increase to the standard GTI's 261bhp/273lb ft from its front-biased 2.0-litre turbo-four. The Clubsport version itself gets a power bump to 296bhp, cutting three-tenths off the 0-62mph time to 5.6s. Plus, a suite of other mechanical changes like stiffer springs and dampers, lighter brakes and an Akrapovic exhaust. Because Akrapovic exhausts are necessary in every hot Golf driver's life. Expect the 50 Years to tread the lines closely here. More details are set to follow at the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race next week, but in the meantime, check out the video of the GTI Edition 50's run out at the Green Hell above. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
