VW Golf GTI Steals the FWD 'Ring Record from the Honda Civic Type R
Key takeaways
- The GTI's 50th-anniversary edition lapped Germany's famous racetrack and beat the CTR's record-setting run by less than a half-second.
- That's because Germany's OG hot hatch just set a notable new record on the country's most famous racetrack.
- Behind the wheel of the record-setting Golf GTI was Benjamin Leuchter, a professional racer and Volkswagen development driver.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The GTI's 50th-anniversary edition lapped Germany's famous racetrack and beat the CTR's record-setting run by less than a half-second.
Volkswagen The Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:44.523 minutes.That time makes the Golf GTI the fastest front-wheel-drive production car to lap the 'Ring, edging the Honda Civic Type R by a half-second.The record-setting special-edition hatchback, which isn't sold in the United States, was piloted by VW development driver Benjamin Leuchter.Golf GTI fans have earned some bragging rights over their Honda-loving rivals. That's because Germany's OG hot hatch just set a notable new record on the country's most famous racetrack. The Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 is now the fastest front-wheel-drive production car to ever lap the 12.94-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife. While it was by a very slim margin, the GTI stole the title from the Honda Civic Type R.
Behind the wheel of the record-setting Golf GTI was Benjamin Leuchter, a professional racer and Volkswagen development driver. He guided the GTI Edition 50 to a time of 7:44.523 minutes. For comparison, the Civic Type R posted a 7:44.881 lap time, a difference of less than a half-second. Third place belongs to the Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R, which posted a time of 7:45.399.