The largest Golf gathering in Malaysia was set with 370 examples of this iconic hatchback in attendance.
Volkswagen has recently earned its place in the Malaysia Book of Records with the largest gathering of 370 units of the Golf at the 2024 Golf Fan Fest, held last Saturday on the 24th of August at the Sepang International Circuit. This record was set in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of this iconic German hatchback, which first took up the mantle in replacing the similarly popular Beetle back in 1974.
Over 2,000 people attended the 2024 Golf Fan Fest, with owners, enthusiasts, families and friends – including an entourage from Singapore, participating in a hive of activities that ran throughout the day. Among the events included a high-octane gymkhana driving challenge, Golf R drift taxi rides and track sessions.
There was also incidentally a showcase on the evolution of the Golf over its 8 iteration span in the last 50 years, while the country’s biggest Golf fan was awarded amidst the fun festivities as well. From test drives to model car kit races, tech talks and workshops covering various aspects of Golf ownership, the day was a delight and treat for many.
As part of the Golf-centric celebration on that day, Volkswagen had further officially announced the local release of the GTI Edition 50. This special edition packs a few exterior and interior enhancements to mark this half-centenary milestone, with only a limited run of 50 units available for the Malaysian market too.
Now the most immediately obvious add-on with this special edition from the outside will likely be its new Oettinger body kit. This has brought with it a black front spoiler, black roof spoiler and diffuser that Volkswagen touts to ‘enhance its style and performance and adds a bold touch to the exterior styling of the Edition 50’.
This special edition also incidentally adds a couple of other black bits on its exterior as well, like a pair of black side mirror caps and a set of ‘Pretoria’ light alloys in high-gloss black finish. The Edition 50 interestingly further nets GTI Dynamic wheel hub caps too, in addition to some VW Design aluminium valve caps on those aforementioned 18-inch rollers.
Moving on within the Edition 50, this special edition differentiates itself from the stock hot Golf by including a “50” emblem at the centre spoke of its multi-function sport steering wheel. A set of branded aluminium side scuff plates and branded front carpet mats has also been thrown in, to justify the RM 15,000 hike over the stock GTI this locally-assembled special edition commands with its list price of RM 267,990.
The Golf is a well-loved Volkswagen icon with more than 37 million vehicles delivered in over 70 countries, making it one of the most successful cars ever produced. Now in its eighth edition, the hot hatchback has grown to capture the hearts and imagination of many for its innovative built-form, superb performance and distinctive style.
Currently in Malaysia, the only two flavours of the Golf offered here are to be the hot GTI and even hotter R. Both of these hot hatches are locally assembled right here in Pekan, with the former retailing at RM 252,990, while the latter is going for RM 332,900.
