The Volkswagen Golf GTI will soon no longer be offered with a manual gearbox
It’s a tough day for manual driving enthusiasts. An icon will soon no longer be offered with the manual transmission that purists appreciate. Volkswagen Canada announced today that the Golf GTI would be marketed one last year with the option of the manual gearbox. After 2024, it will be removed from the catalog. To close the loop, the manufacturer offers a limited edition dubbed 380.
An exclusive edition for the North American market
The 380 version, in honor of the code name that the GTI bears in the manufacturer’s production plants, will be the last version of the vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox. Offered exclusively in the North American market, the Golf GTI 380 will be offered in “Autobahn” and “Performance” variants.
This version will be equipped with the standard adaptive damper system, 19-inch aluminum wheels with gloss black spokes and summer performance tires. On the outside, the 380 trim will be distinctive thanks to the addition of gloss tints on the mirrors and the roof. It will be possible to choose among 5 tones either Deep Black Pearl, Kings Red Metallic, Oryx White Pearl and two colors exclusive to the edition, Pomelo Yellow Metallic and Dolphin Gray Metallic.
The interior, meanwhile, will be composed of elements from other versions of the GTI. The 380 will have traditional seats evoking the model’s history. Made of fabric named Scalepaper Plaid, the seats recall the many years of crafting the iconic car. The one who had just celebrated her 40-year career will bow out (in her classic formula) in 2024.
Volkswagen says the 380 edition will be built using several ingredients to pay homage to the manual gearbox, such as the golf ball-inspired shift knob.
Same mechanics and other affected models
The Final Edition’s engine is identical to what current GTIs offer. The GTI 380 will therefore be powered by a 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that develops 241 horsepower and produces 273 lb-ft of torque. Of course, only the 6-speed manual transmission is offered.
Volkswagen specifies that the next versions of the GTI 2024 will all be equipped with the manufacturer’s dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).
In a very short sentence at the end of the press release, Volkswagen states that the R version of the Golf will also lose the option after 2024. The company does not stop there, it adds that the standard Jetta will also be affected by the new . Few details have been announced regarding the two products, but the German manufacturer confirms that the sporty variant of the Jetta, the GLI, will retain the manual transmission after the 2024 model year.
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 will hit Canadian dealerships in early fall at an opening cost of $38,795, including freight and delivery charges.
The DSG-equipped GTI will still be offered in 3 trim levels for 2024, starting at $36,695.
