GTO

GTO is an initialism with several distinct meanings across different fields, most prominently in automotive history and power electronics.

In the automotive world, the term is widely associated with Ferrari's Gran Turismo Omologato models. The 250 GTO, produced in the early 1960s to homologate Ferrari's GT racing program, remains one of the most sought-after classic cars. Later, the 288 GTO of the mid-1980s was a turbocharged V8 designed to meet Group B homologation rules and helped spur the development of the Ferrari F40. The GTO designation in Ferrari’s lineup signifies a homologated, high-performance grand touring car.

The Pontiac GTO is another famous automotive use of the name. Sold from 1964 to 1974, the Pontiac GTO was a performance version of the Tempest-based lineup and is widely regarded as a pioneering muscle car, helping to define the category. The exact origin of the GTO initials in Pontiac branding is unclear; Pontiac did not officially attribute them to Gran Turismo Omologato in their marketing, but the association persisted in popular culture.

In electronics, GTO stands for gate turn-off thyristor, a type of thyristor that can be switched off by a gate signal. GTOs were prominent in high-power control applications such as variable-speed drives and power conversion before being largely superseded by IGBTs.