Volkswagen has filed to trademark a new GTI badge for the electric era, replacing the ‘I’ in the logo with a thunderbolt.
The use of the designation had long been in doubt as Volkswagen opted to use ‘GTX’ for the high-performance versions of the ID 4 and ID 5 crossovers, as well as an upcoming variant of the ID 7 saloon.
However, as brand CEO Thomas Schäfer told Autocar in November 2022, “we might not need” GTX as the marque’s mainstream models make the switch to electric power.
“GTX as an idea is en route for EVs,” he said, adding it would be “crazy” to let the existing GTI and R designations to “die and slip away” amid the transition.
“With a strong brand, you need to spend less getting it out there.”
It is possible that the brand may show a concept car with the new badge in the near future as a statement of intent for the performance brand’s reboot.
Such a car would likely retain the familiar front-engine, front-wheel drive powertrain with a single electric motor.
On GTI, Schäfer said: “GTI with Golf was always legendary. We will carry on. We need substance to it, with performance. We’re working on a performance model with EV to carry GTI forward.”
Schäfer continued that R would be used on ‘all-paw’ performance flagships, suggesting four-wheel drive models will use that designation instead.
Additional reporting by Charlie Martin