Letter V on the hood or grille is one of the most recognizable automotive symbols in the world. But if you ask passers-by on the street what brands are associated with this emblem, the majority will only name Volkswagen yes Volvo. Meanwhile, behind this laconic letter hides a whole galaxy of manufacturers - from mass to premium, from historical to modern. Some of them have left the market long ago, others are just gaining popularity, and others disguise themselves as well-known brands in order to mislead buyers.
This article will help you figure out what cars with V logo found on the roads today, how they differ and what to look for when buying. We will analyze not only obvious options like VW or Volvo, but also little-known brands that use this symbol in their logo. We’ll also tell you how to distinguish an original emblem from a fake by small details - this is critical when buying a used car or spare parts.
Spoiler: among owners of cars with the letter V on the hood there are both fans of reliable “Germans” and those who prefer exotics. And yes, you are unlikely to see some of these brands on Russian roads, but their history deserves attention.
1. Volkswagen: a folk symbol with a Nazi past
Let's start with the most obvious - Volkswagen, or just VW. Letter emblem V it is known in the circle even to those who are far from auto topics. But few people know that this logo has a direct connection with the Third Reich: the brand was created at the direction of Hitler in 1937 as part of the “people's car” program (Volks-Wagen). The first model KdF-Wagen (later became legendary Beetle), was supposed to become accessible to the general public, but the war prevented these plans.
Today Volkswagen Group - one of the largest automakers in the world, owning such brands as Audi, Porsche, Škoda and Lamborghini. Interestingly, the emblem VW has undergone minimal changes since the 1930s: the modern logo (2019) is flat and minimalist, but the basics remain the same. Also, this is the only emblem with the letter V, which can be found on every second car in Russia.
- 🔹 Year founded: 1937
- 🔹 Best selling model: Golf (more than 35 million copies)
- 🔹 Interesting fact: Logo VW was developed by engineer Franz Xaver Reimspiess, who also worked on the design Beetle.
- 🔹 Where are they produced for Russia: Kaluga, Nizhny Novgorod
⚠️ Attention: Often found on the used car market Volkswagen with “interrupted” emblems - for example, instead of the original VW a cheap replica from the Chinese market can be installed. You can check the authenticity by the fastening: on the original, the emblem is fixed with two plastic latches, and not with glue.
2. Volvo: Swedish reliability with Viking roots
Volvo - the second most popular brand with an emblem V, but unlike Volkswagen, here the letter is stylized as the sign of Mars (♂) and placed on a silver shield. This symbol was not chosen by chance: in mythology, Mars is associated with strength and protection, which ideally reflects the brand’s philosophy - safety above all. By the way, the name Volvo translated from Latin as “I roll,” which refers to bearings, the company’s original product.
Today Volvo Cars (not to be confused with Volvo Group, which deals with trucks) belongs to a Chinese concern Geely, but produces cars in Sweden, Belgium and the USA. The brand is famous for its innovations in the field of safety: namely Volvo pioneered the introduction of three-point seat belts (1959), airbags (1972) and rollover mitigation systems (2002). And this is also a favorite brand of family people: models XC90 and V90 often called “tanks” for their strength.
| Model | Debut year | Feature | Price in Russia (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC40 | 2017 | The brand's first compact crossover | from 3.2 million ₽ |
| Volvo S60 | 2010 | Sports sedan with hybrid versions | from 4.1 million ₽ |
| Volvo EX90 | 2022 | Flagship electric crossover with LiDAR | from 8.5 million ₽ |
| Volvo 240 | 1974 | Cult "brick", produced for 19 years | from 300 thousand ₽ (used) |
The Volvo emblem on the hood is attached to special guides, and not to double-sided tape - this is one of the signs of the original. Counterfeits often lack the holographic sticker on the back.
3. Venturi: electric supercars from Monaco
If you think that cars with an emblem V - these are only mass or premium brands, then you are mistaken. Venturi is a niche manufacturer of electric supercars from Monaco, whose models cost hundreds of thousands of euros and are produced individually. The company was founded in 1984 by two French entrepreneurs and initially specialized in sports cars with internal combustion engines, but since 2010 it has completely switched to electricity.
The most famous model is Venturi VBB-3, an electric car that set the world speed record for electric vehicles (549 km/h) in 2016. And also Venturi supplies technology for the team Venturi Racing in the championship Formula E. Interestingly, the brand logo is a stylized letter V with lightning - refers to speed and electricity.
- 🚀 Speed record: 549 km/h (VBB-3, 2016)
- 🔋 Feature: Batteries from Samsung SDI and Rimac
- 💰 Cost: From $300,000 to $1.5 million
- 🏁 Racing: Participates in Formula E since 2014
⚠️ Attention: On the secondary market, you sometimes find “pseudo-Venturi” - ordinary sports cars converted to match the brand’s logo. You can distinguish the original by the VIN code: all are real Venturi have a prefixVF7(France) orZAM(Monaco).
4. Vector Motors: the American dream that didn't come true
History Vector Motors is a classic example of how an ambitious project can fail due to management errors. The company was founded in 1971 in California and positioned itself as an American competitor Ferrari and Lamborghini. Their emblem is the letter V in an oval - was supposed to symbolize the “vector of forward movement.”
The most famous model is Vector W8 (1989) with a 625 hp engine. and a carbon fiber body. The car accelerated to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and cost $450,000 - an astronomical sum at that time. However, due to financial problems and litigation with investors, the company went bankrupt in the 1990s. Today original Vector - the rarest lots at auctions, and their emblems are often faked for tuned cars.
Why did Vector Motors fail?
The reasons for the collapse were:
- Conflict between founders Jerry Wiegert and Lee Brown
- Lack of funding for mass production
- Competition with more well-known brands like Saleen and Panoz
- Lawsuits from investors accusing the company of fraud.
5. Vencer: Dutch supercar with aviation roots
Vencer - another little-known brand with an emblem V, this time from the Netherlands. The company was founded in 2010 by pilot and engineer Rob Collins, who wanted to create a supercar with aviation technology. Their only model is Vencer Sarthe (2013) - equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 from Corvette (622 hp) and a carbon fiber body.
It's interesting that the title Sarthe refers to the track Le Mans, and the emblem is a stylized letter V with wings - emphasizes the brand's aviation heritage. Only 5 copies were produced and today they are considered collector's items. One of them was sold at auction for €450,000 in 2021.
If you see a car with an emblem on the road Vencer, most likely, this is not an original, but a replica. Real Sarthe almost never leave private collections.
6. VLF Automotive: joint project with Gilmore Car Museum
VLF Automotive (VLF — Visionary Legacy Force) is a joint project between designer Henrik Fisker, entrepreneur Bob Latz and the museum Gilmore Car Museum. The brand has existed since 2012 and specializes in limited editions of luxury cars. Their emblem is the letter V in a shield with an ornament - refers to classic American brands.
The most famous model is VLF Force 1 V10 (2016) with engine from Dodge Viper (745 hp) and an aluminum body. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 3 seconds and costs $268,500. A total of 50 copies were produced, and each was assembled by hand. Today VLF practically inactive, but their cars remain objects of desire for collectors.
7. Fakes and clones: how not to buy a “left” car with the V emblem
Popularity of letter emblems V led to the appearance of many counterfeits on the market. Most often, scammers paste logos onto cheap Chinese cars (for example, Changan or Geely early releases), passing them off as Volkswagen or Volvo. Sometimes there are more sophisticated schemes - for example, converted VAZ with logo Vector (yes, this happens!).
To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, pay attention to the following details:
Mount: original emblems VW and Volvo are fixed with latches, not glue
Material: fakes are often plastic, while the originals are coated metal
Hologram: on the back of the emblems Volvo there must be a protective sticker
VIN code: check it through services like vinfree.info or carvertical.com
Documents: PTS and STS must indicate the original brand, and not “VW/Volvo (according to documents)”
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You need to be especially careful when buying rare models, such as Vector W8 or Vencer Sarthe. Fraudsters often pass off homemade replicas as originals using fake VIN numbers and documents. If the price of such a car seems suspiciously low (for example, Vector for $50,000 instead of $200,000+), this is a reason to doubt the authenticity.
The most reliable way to check a car with an emblem V — order a complete history by VIN through the official services of the manufacturer or independent platforms like Carfax.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars with the V emblem
What's the cheapest car with a V badge?
The most affordable new model is Volkswagen Polo (from 1.2 million ₽ in Russia). You can find it on the secondary market Volvo 240 or VW Golf II for 200–300 thousand rubles, but their condition often leaves much to be desired.
Why don't some VWs have a V on their emblem?
Since 2019 Volkswagen began the transition to a simplified logo - now it’s just a flat letter VW without volume and blue background. On some models (for example, ID.4) the emblem glows and looks almost transparent during the day.
Can you legally put a V emblem on your car?
Technically yes, but this can cause problems when passing inspection or insurance. In Russia, for counterfeiting a car brand (Article 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), you can receive a fine of up to 80 thousand rubles or deprivation of your license. The exception is tuned cars, where the emblem changes as part of the official restyling (for example, Audi on VW when swapping the engine).
Which car with the V logo is the fastest?
Absolute record holder - Venturi VBB-3 (549 km/h). The leader among production models is VLF Force 1 V10 (367 km/h). If we talk about mass brands, then Volkswagen Golf R accelerates to 250 km/h (with chip tuning - up to 270 km/h).
Where can you see rare cars with the V emblem (Vector, Vencer, VLF)?
Most copies are in private collections or museums:
- 🏛️ Vector W8 — Petersen Automotive Museum (Los Angeles, USA)
- 🏛️ Vencer Sarthe — Louvre Abu Dhabi (UAE, temporary exhibitions)
- 🏛️ VLF Force 1 — Gilmore Car Museum (Michigan, USA)
In Russia, such cars are almost never found, but sometimes they appear at exhibitions like Moscow International Automobile Salon.