GTI stands for "Grand Touring Injection" (or "Grand Tourer Injection"), a designation originally used to indicate a car equipped with a direct fuel injection system designed for enhanced performance and efficiency. This term was first used in the automotive context by Maserati in the 1960s with the Maserati 3500 GTI and later popularized by Volkswagen with the launch of the Volkswagen Golf GTI in 1976

. The GTI badge signifies a sporty, high-performance variant of a model that combines power, handling, and comfort suitable for long-distance driving or "grand touring." Volkswagen's use of GTI highlights models with direct fuel injection technology that improves engine power, fuel economy, and emissions

. In summary, GTI means:

• Grand Touring Injection (English)
• Gran Turismo Iniezione (Italian origin)

It is associated with sporty, efficient, and performance-oriented vehicles, most famously the Volkswagen Golf GTI