Volkswagen Debuts Golf GTI Clubsport 24h at Nürburgring

Volkswagen presents the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h at Nürburgring 2025. Special model marks GTI’s 50th anniversary. See racing highlights and team details.

Volkswagen is gearing up for an impressive showcase at the legendary Nürburgring 24-hour race, celebrating the GTI legacy in grand style. In June 2025, the world premiere of the special Golf GTI Clubsport 24h edition will take place on the challenging “Green Hell” circuit — a model created to mark the 50th anniversary of the GTI in 2026.

This special edition is being presented exclusively at the event, with no sales plans confirmed yet. Benjamin ‘Benny’ Leuchter, professional driver and Volkswagen development pilot, will once again take the wheel of one of two Golf GTI Clubsport 24h race cars entered by Max Kruse Racing. He will be joined by seven-time rallycross world champion Johan Kristoffersson, Nürburgring experts Nico Otto and Heiko Hammel — the same team that clinched class victory last year and now returns to defend the title.

The second car will be driven by Fabian Vettel, younger brother of four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel. For Fabian, this race marks another milestone in his motorsport career, which already includes experience in ADAC GT Masters and other racing series.

Preparations are in full swing. The team completed winter testing in Portugal at the Portimão circuit, refining the car's setup and performance. Ahead of the main event, Max Kruse Racing will also compete in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), starting with the ADAC Westfalenfahrt race.

Beyond the race itself, Volkswagen will also present its high-performance R models at the Nürburgring weekend — including the Golf R, Golf R Variant, and the limited Golf R Black Edition. These vehicles feature a special driving mode tailored for the Nordschleife, showcasing the capability of production models on one of the world’s most demanding tracks.

With this event, Volkswagen not only celebrates the heritage and future of the GTI but also underscores its commitment to performance and motorsport excellence.

Source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com