Volkswagen GTI trademark hints at electrified future

A modified GTI logo with a lightning bolt replacing ‘I’ suggests Volkswagen is looking to keep the sporty badge alive and use it in future electric models.

The trademark was filed with the German trademark and patent office in late July, and was found by CarBuzz. Although it’s unclear what Volkswagen plans for the new GTI badge, the most obvious thought is that will be used on performance versions of upcoming EVs.

This line of thinking gels with Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen brand CEO, who believes important heritage nameplates, such as Golf and GTI, should be carried through into the company’s all-electric future.

“The Golf name has huge value…So to change the name to something completely different doesn’t make sense,” Schäfer told Autocar earlier this year.

Although it seems unlikely, it’s possible the revised GTI badge could also be used on cars with a mild-hybrid drivetrain, or perhaps plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

Rumours indicate the Golf name — possibly with an ID. prefix — could be used for a production version of the ID.2all concept, with a GTI variant following in short order.

Currently Volkswagen has a number of performance models using differing GT branding. The most well-known are the Polo GTI and Golf GTI, which are powered by turbocharged petrol engines. There’s also GTD for turbo-diesel models, GTE for plug-in hybrid cars, and GTX for electric vehicles. 

If Volkswagen does use the lightning bolt GTI badge for upcoming EVs, it will likely feature a dual-motor all-wheel drive layout, spelling the end of the front-wheel drive GTI era.

Reports suggest the lightning bolt-infused GTI will replace GTX branding, but it’s also possible the electric GTI models will sit above GTX in the company’s sporty hierarchy.

As with all trademark filings, it’s important to note Volkswagen may not end up using the revised GTI badge.