The Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI are expected to enter the ninth generation, but with electric propulsion, as part of the company’s desire to keep historically significant nameplates. Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer stated that the GTI nameplate would not be retired and that the model might become part of a new hot ID line-up, following the basic Volkswagen Golf. The current eighth-generation Golf will be retired in 2027-2028.
The ID naming system, according to Schäfer, is here to stay because purchasers are already familiar with it and link it with electric Volkswagens.
Long-running badges such as the Golf and even the GTI are being considered for continuation into the EV age.
“There is a connection with VW and ID, and there is no need to cancel [ID]. We have iconic brand names, Golf and GTI. It would be crazy to let them die and slip away. We will stick with the ID logic but iconic models will carry a name.”
Schäfer also hinted that the GTX badge, which is now used for all-wheel-drive performance versions of the ID cars, will be phased out in the long run, and that GTI and R would re-emerge as the dominant performance badges in the range.
On GTI, Schäfer added: “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 stated that the R badge would continue to be used for all-wheel-drive performance flagship cars. This implies that GTI may be used for two-wheel-drive performance EVs, whereas R could be used for four-wheel-drive ones.
While the German brand tested older variants of the Golf in India on numerous occasions, the Golf was never sold here. In terms of ID, VW will launch the ID.4 in India maybe next year.
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