They are saying the worst day of your life begins usually. Right now, it began with Volkswagen saying that the handbook transmission within the Golf GTI and Golf R shall be formally lifeless after 2024, with one final particular version known as the Golf GTI 380 attributable to cap off the legacy.
It goes with out saying that the handbook GTI is an automotive establishment. It is without doubt one of the legends, one of many vehicles everybody has a narrative with, that carries an indescribable cool issue. And it has seldom missed, with almost each GTI having an important handbook gearbox. Us Dubbers (learn: Excessive Volkswagen Fanatics) don’t speak in regards to the Mk4 handbook, after all, however all different GTIs have been a pleasure to make use of. Whereas our Critiques Editor Chris Tsui mentioned good riddance to handbook BMWs—and I concur with that sentiment—I believe a goodbye is so as right here.
In a earlier life, earlier than I owned my 2019 Civic Kind R, I had a handbook 2010 GTI that I known as Six Iron. I had numerous vehicles earlier than it, and only one automobile after it. It nonetheless sticks with me as we speak as a singularly nice car that did all the things effortlessly properly. It was the very best $50,000 driving expertise you can purchase for $6,000; an important date night time automobile that would nonetheless be an oversteering hooligan on the monitor; and one in every of a only a few vehicles that transcends class and wealth to be seen as virtually universally refined and chic. All of that, with a candy six-speed handbook gearbox that was a real pleasure to function.
Whereas VW’s dual-clutch is great, it’s no handbook. It doesn’t have the attraction and engagement that could be a classically GTI expertise. It is technically higher and definitely an important selection, however I believe the essence of an excellent GTI all the time features a row-your-own transmission. To be clear, this was all the time going to be the trail for the GTI. It was destined to turn out to be an EV, succumb to ever-tighter emissions rules and VW’s push for electrification. However all of us hoped the handbook would dwell to see the top.
The GTI 380, which borrows its title from the interior mannequin code for the Mk8 GTI, is the final probability to personal an automotive establishment. Volkswagen describes it as “a particular tools set normal on each 2024 manual-transmission GTI,” including touches together with black wheels wrapped in summer time efficiency tires, a black roof, and Dynamic Chassis Management adaptive damping. It’s going to hit sellers this fall, beginning at $32,485 earlier than vacation spot. Whereas there are different, higher vehicles on the market, that is the top of the road for the handbook VW GTI. We’ll miss you.
