GTi Say Bye Bye

So this week, Peugeot have announced the demise of the GTi branding on their cars (Autocar Story).  Coming from a company who near-enough invented the hot hatch with the 205 GTi, this is a very sad story.

However, I do not think it is as big news as people are flouting.  When was the last time Peugeot made a car worthy of the GTi badge?  For the last 10 years, their cars have been nothing but spongy, flabby, fish-mouthed monstrosities.  Stick on bigger wheels, a spoiler and some (loosely) hugging seats and there you have a GTi.  Well sorry Peugeot, but no…that does not make a true GTi.

The thing is, Volkswagen went through the same problem with the Golf.  The mk1 and 2 Golf GTi’s are renowned for being excellent hot hatches, but by the time the mid-nineties came along, the GTi’s became watered down, heavy and not really newsworthy at all.  Fortunately, VW have turned it all around with the latest two offerings and wear the GTi badge proudly.

The GTi badge has become a lot more than just a name, it is a brand.  People aspire to own a GTi version of the Golf, it is a halo model in its own right.  So I feel that Peugeot’s withdrawal from using the name will benefit the GTi brand in the long run.  Until Peugeot can attach that name to a worthy vehicle, it will continue to dilute the GTi’s name.

Therefore, although sad news, I agree with Peugeot’s decision to remove themselves from the GTi battle and patiently await their triumphant return in a few years.

Business is Business, but isn't British Better?

I’ve watched with amazement the drama that is surrounding the prospect of no British Grand Prix for 2010, wondering if someone is going to come to their senses anytime soon.  By someone, of course, I mean Bernie Ecclestone.

Now it’s quite obvious for anyone to see that Donnington is not ready to host a Grand Prix in 2010, however good ol’ Bernie seems to think that Donnington’s failure means the British GP’s slot is now up for sale to the highest bidder.  Ok, ok, this is business at the end of the day, and a very profitable business it is as well…for Bernie. 

But there are some traditions, Monaco for example will never be dropped from the racing calendar…it holds too much heritage.  Well excuse me for saying, but not only are the majority of F1 teams based in Britain, providing British engineering, design and marketing jobs, but we’ve also fronted the two most recent World Champion drivers!

Button has just won the WDC, Brawn have just won the Constructors Championship, Hamilton will hopefully be back on form next year in a McLaren, the Red Bull cars will be fighting up there as well…all these teams are based in the UK in case you didn't realise.

Britain is at the forefront of F1, and Bernie is prepared to give away the British Grand Prix just because another country is offering him more money.  Silverstone is sitting there, patiently waiting to be given the go-ahead to run the 2010 Grand Prix, and the main question that has to be asked is, would people prefer to see, and would the drivers prefer to race around the historic Silverstone circuit or  go to a circuit in a random country with no F1 involvement other than a large cheque in Bernie’s back pocket?

Business is business, but with two British World Champions driving for British teams and a whole host of other British-run teams, should some things not be sacred?