A modified GTI brand with a lightning bolt changing ‘I’ suggests Volkswagen is trying to hold the sporty badge alive and use it in future electrical fashions.

The trademark was filed with the German trademark and patent workplace in late July, and was discovered by CarBuzz. Though it’s unclear what Volkswagen plans for the brand new GTI badge, the obvious thought is that will likely be used on efficiency variations of upcoming EVs.

This line of considering gels with Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen model CEO, who believes necessary heritage nameplates, corresponding to Golf and GTI, ought to be carried by way of into the corporate’s all-electric future.

“The Golf title has big worth…So to vary the title to one thing utterly totally different doesn’t make sense,” Schäfer informed Autocar earlier this yr.

Though it appears unlikely, it’s doable the revised GTI badge is also used on automobiles with a mild-hybrid drivetrain, or maybe plug-in hybrid autos. 

Rumours point out the Golf title — probably with an ID. prefix — might be used for a manufacturing model of the ID.2all idea, with a GTI variant following briefly order.

Presently Volkswagen has numerous efficiency fashions utilizing differing GT branding. Probably the most well-known are the Polo GTI and Golf GTI, that are powered by turbocharged petrol engines. There’s additionally GTD for turbo-diesel fashions, GTE for plug-in hybrid automobiles, and GTX for electrical autos. 

If Volkswagen does use the lightning bolt GTI badge for upcoming EVs, it is going to probably function a dual-motor all-wheel drive structure, spelling the top of the front-wheel drive GTI period.

Stories counsel the lightning bolt-infused GTI will substitute GTX branding, but it surely’s additionally doable the electrical GTI fashions will sit above GTX within the firm’s sporty hierarchy.

As with all trademark filings, it’s necessary to notice Volkswagen might not find yourself utilizing the revised GTI badge.