Volkswagen has announced that it will be retiring its GTX branding for sporting electric vehicles (EVs) in order to make room for its upcoming electric GTI and R models. The GTX badge was initially introduced in 2021 for high-performance versions of the ID 4 and ID 5 SUVs, but has since been expanded to include other models in the ID family.
Despite the recent expansion of the GTX lineup, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has confirmed that the branding will be phased out as the company focuses on electrifying its GTI and R performance brands. Schäfer stated, “GTX is the performance brand of the MEB platform, but we’ll work our way back to GTI and R in the next products going forward.” This move aligns with Volkswagen’s plans to release an electric successor to the Golf GTI hot hatch in early 2027.
While Volkswagen has not provided details on what an electric R car might look like, it has confirmed that the R brand will become exclusively electric by 2030. Schäfer emphasized that R will continue to be used for four-wheel-drive performance cars, as it has been for the past two decades. It is expected that an R version of the electric Golf MK9 will be introduced around 2029.
The decision to retire the GTX branding means that Volkswagen is unlikely to release any more GTX models in the future. However, there are no plans to change the branding of current GTX vehicles. Schäfer clarified, “With the current products, this is what it is, but future products will go back to a clear portfolio.”
The move towards electrifying the GTI and R brands reflects Volkswagen’s commitment to staying true to their performance roots. Schäfer emphasized that both brands will have clear genes going forward. This suggests that Volkswagen aims to maintain the performance characteristics and front-wheel-drive tradition associated with the GTI brand while evolving the R brand to focus on electric four-wheel-drive performance.
Overall, this strategic shift by Volkswagen demonstrates the company’s dedication to embracing electric mobility while preserving the heritage and essence of its iconic performance brands. By retiring the GTX branding and making way for electric GTI and R models, Volkswagen is positioning itself as a leader in the electric vehicle market, offering high-performance options that cater to enthusiasts who value both sustainability and driving excitement.
