'Benchmark’ Volkswagen Golf GTI named Times and Sunday Times Legend Car of the Year

Milton Keynes – The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been named the Legend Car of the Year at this year’s News UK Motor Awards.

The accolade by experts at The Times and Sunday Times was in recognition of the car’s exceptional performance across multiple generations, going back 50 years to the very first Golf GTI in 1976.

The News UK Motor Awards bring together the editorial expertise and audiences of The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and talkSPORT. The awards are judged by leading automotive journalists from across News UK’s titles and champion best-in-class cars in all segments, including luxury, sports, family, adventure and electric.

Will Dron, Digital Driving Editor at The Times and Sunday Times, said: “The Volkswagen Golf GTI set the benchmark for hot hatches in 1976, and the fact that it continues to do so today is an extraordinary legacy. We are absolutely delighted to recognise that with our Legend Car of the Year award on the model’s 50th anniversary.

“Over eight generations the Golf GTI has evolved, but at its core has always been a winning combination of everyday practicality and thrilling performance. Long may that formula continue.”

About the Volkswagen Golf GTI

Q: What makes the Volkswagen Golf GTI so special?
A: The Golf GTI is Volkswagen’s iconic performance hatchback, combining everyday practicality with sporty handling and a distinctive GTI character that has made it a benchmark in its class for decades.

Q: Is the Golf GTI practical as well as sporty?
A: Yes. The GTI combines performance with everyday usability, offering a comfortable interior, flexible luggage space and advanced safety and assistance systems, making it just as suited to daily driving as it is to enjoying a favourite road.

Q: How is Volkswagen celebrating 50 years of GTI?
A: Volkswagen is marking 50 years of GTI with the Golf GTI EDITION 50 – a special model created to celebrate half a century of the legendary GTI story.

Q: What is special about the Volkswagen Golf GTI EDITION 50?
A: The Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the most powerful series-production GTI on sale to date in the UK, producing 325 PS and offering a top speed of up to 155 mph.

Q: Did the Golf GTI EDITION 50 set a Nürburgring record this year?
A: Yes. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the fastest front-wheel drive production model on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. With racing driver and Volkswagen test and development driver Benjamin Leuchter at the wheel, the car took only 7 mins 44.523 secs to complete the 20.832-kilometre lap on the legendary racetrack.