August 1, 2023News

Volkswagen confirms the return of the GTI badge on its electrified sports cars

Although it was thought to be doomed, the GTI logo will be incorporated into Volkswagen's electrified sports cars thanks to a clever trick

Volkswagen’s sporty electric models are currently designated by the GTX acronym. But this little-known emblem is confusing for the general public, who have long been used to the GTI badge. For this reason, the German brand is preparing to reintroduce the mythical GTI logo on its electrified sports cars, albeit with a few modifications to respect a certain logic…

The clever metamorphosis of the “I”

Volkswagen has applied to the German Patent and Trade Mark Office for a GTI logo unlike any other. While the letters GT are nothing new, the ‘I’ has been transformed into a lightning bolt suggesting the electric era. And while we know that the letter will no longer stand for the word ‘injection’, we still don’t know on which models the badge will appear. Will it be worn by electric vehicles, or will it remain dedicated exclusively to hybrids?

As far as sporty plug-in hybrids are concerned, the German brand already has the GTE logo on the Golf and Passat. As for the more muscular electric models, the ID.4 and ID.5 have been given the GTX label. The ID.Buzz will soon follow suit. If it were to be applied to all electrified sports models, the ‘new formula’ GTI badge would inevitably push the GTE and GTX emblems towards the exit. The future ID.2 scheduled for 2025 could then be the first electric Volkswagen to receive the GTI badge.

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Thomas Kim

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May 16, 2024

New-Gen Bentley Continental GT Debuts Next Month

It’s been only a few days since Bentley confirmed a few juicy details about what will replace its iconic W12. The Brits have now confirmed the new powertrain’s first project – the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT. And it isn’t far from shedding its cover, as you can see here. In fact, we’ll get to see it in full next month.

As you’d expect, not much has been unveiled as of now. But we know the “Ultra Performance Hybrid” powerplant will deliver a whopping 782ps of power and a mammoth peak torque of 1,000Nm. Courtesy of the electric motor and a battery to back it up, the new-gen Continental GT will also be capable of travelling 80km with zero local emissions. Another astonishing figure for the brand is a WLTP-certified CO2 figure of less than 50 g/km.

Backing up the new powertrain and its massive power reserves will be an active all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring, four-wheel steering, an electronic limited-slip differential, 48V electric active anti-roll control and new dual-valve dampers. Of course, new design and a variety of modern-day creature comforts will also play their part. Put all those facts together, and the takeaway is this: the new-gen Bentley Continental GT will be the most powerful, dynamically capable and sustainable luxury grand tourer in the company’s history.

Exciting times ahead!

May 15, 2024

Icons of Porsche, Middle East’s largest car festival, returns in November 2024

If the 911 is Porsche’s automotive icon, the Icons of Porsche is the brand’s iconic and flagship festival in the Middle East. Since its debut in 2021, the Icons of Porsche festival has already racked up a footfall of over 50,000 fans to celebrate not just the glorious past, dynamic present and exciting future of Porsche but also regional arts, culture and cuisine within the event. And now, the largest car festival of the Middle East returns for the fourth edition at ‘The Slab’ in the Dubai Design District on 23-24 November 2024. The two-day celebration will feature the best of Porsche sports cars, artwork installations, renowned artists and celebrity appearances at ‘The Slab’. Dr. Manfred Bräunl, Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Middle East and Africa, commented, “I cannot wait to announce some of the beautiful cars we have in store that will not only come from local collectors but also from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Last year’s event overwhelmed us, with over 27,000 visitors and media coming from all over the world to celebrate with us.”