Volkswagen is reportedly planning to drop the manual transmission option from every car in the Golf lineup, including the iconic Golf GTI, during 2024 when the current Mk8 car gets a mid-life refresh. This news comes as a surprise to many, as for the first 29 years of its life, the Golf GTI was only available with a manual transmission. However, by the time the hot hatch turns 49, that might be the one thing you can’t have on the most famous hot hatch of all time.Euro 7 Emissions Legislation and Manual TransmissionAccording to Volkswagen technical development boss Kai Grünitz, the manual transmission would be dropped to help the automaker meet tough new Euro 7 emissions legislation. “With the next generation of the Golf, there will not be one with a manual gearshift,” he told Autocar. However, the magazine reports that VW could change its mind if changes are made to the draft Euro 7 rules before the legislation is cemented into law.While many Golf buyers love VW’s quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission, removing the manual option could send some enthusiasts into the arms of a rival brand, not to mention make every car more expensive. While adding a DSG ‘box to a U.S.-spec Golf GTi or R only increases the cost by $800, the premium is £1,520 ($1,900) on a GTI in the UK, where the Golf R is already DSG-only.Impact on North American Versions of GolfThe report doesn’t mention if the North American versions of the Golf, which are not beholden to Euro emissions regulations, would also lose their manual options, but that seems likely purely from a production standpoint. The GTI and R are the only Golfs offered in the U.S., and shifted just 8,423 units between them in 2022. A good chunk of those buyers must have picked the DSG, so we can’t see Volkswagen going to the effort of keeping the manual alive for such a tiny audience.CO2 Emissions and Fleet Average EmissionsWhile the difference in CO2 emissions between manual and dual-clutch Golfs can be as little as 2 g/km, that can still have a big effect on fleet average emissions when you’re talking hundreds of thousands of Golfs. Euro 7 regulations are due to come into force in mid-2025, but multiple automakers have been pushing back against the proposals, which they say are unnecessary and will result in buyers paying more for their cars.ConclusionIn conclusion, Volkswagen’s decision to drop the manual transmission option from every car in the Golf lineup, including the Golf GTI, is a significant move that could impact the automaker’s sales and reputation. While it may help Volkswagen meet tough new Euro 7 emissions legislation, it could also send some enthusiasts into the arms of a rival brand. It remains to be seen if Volkswagen will change its mind if changes are made to the draft Euro 7 rules before the legislation is cemented into law.

The End of an Era: Volkswagen to Drop Manual Transmission Option for Golf GTI

For nearly three decades, the Golf GTI has been synonymous with the manual transmission. However, that may soon change as Volkswagen plans to drop the manual option from every car in the Golf lineup, including the GTI, during the mid-life refresh of the current Mk8 car in 2024. The move is aimed at helping the automaker meet tough new Euro 7 emissions legislation.

The announcement was made by Volkswagen technical development boss Kai Grünitz, who told Autocar that there will not be a next-generation Golf with a manual gearshift. However, the magazine reports that VW could change its mind if changes are made to the draft Euro 7 rules before the legislation is cemented into law.

While many Golf buyers love VW’s quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission, removing the manual option could send some enthusiasts into the arms of a rival brand, not to mention make every car more expensive. Adding a DSG ‘box to a U.S.-spec Golf GTi or R only increases the cost by $800, but the premium is £1,520 ($1,900) on a GTI in the UK, where the Golf R is already DSG-only.

It is unclear if the North American versions of the Golf, which are not beholden to Euro emissions regulations, would also lose their manual options. However, it seems likely purely from a production standpoint. The GTI and R are the only Golfs offered in the U.S., and shifted just 8,423 units between them in 2022. A good chunk of those buyers must have picked the DSG so we can’t see Volkswagen going to the effort of keeping the manual alive for such a tiny audience.

While the difference in CO2 emissions between manual and dual-clutch Golfs can be as little as 2 g/km, that can still have a big effect on fleet average emissions when you’re talking hundreds of thousands of Golfs. Euro 7 regulations are due to come into force in mid-2025, but multiple automakers have been pushing back against the proposals, which they say are unnecessary and will result in buyers paying more for their cars.

The Future of the Golf GTI

The Golf GTI has been one of the most popular hot hatches of all time, and its manual transmission has been a key part of its appeal. However, with the move towards more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles, it seems that the manual transmission may soon be a thing of the past.

Volkswagen has not yet announced what transmission options will be available for the Golf GTI after 2024. However, it is likely that the car will be offered with a dual-clutch transmission, which is already a popular choice among Golf buyers.

The dual-clutch transmission is a type of automatic transmission that uses two clutches to shift gears. It is faster and more efficient than a traditional automatic transmission, and it allows for smoother and more precise shifts. The dual-clutch transmission has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it is now offered by many automakers as an alternative to the traditional manual transmission.

The Future of Manual Transmissions

The move towards automatic transmissions is not unique to Volkswagen. Many automakers are phasing out manual transmissions in favor of more efficient and eco-friendly automatic transmissions. This is partly due to changing consumer preferences, but it is also driven by government regulations aimed at reducing emissions.

However, there are still many enthusiasts who prefer the feel and control of a manual transmission. For these drivers, the loss of the manual option is a disappointment. However, there are still some automakers that offer manual transmissions, including Mazda, Subaru, and Porsche.

Conclusion

The Golf GTI has been one of the most iconic hot hatches of all time, and its manual transmission has been a key part of its appeal. However, with the move towards more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles, it seems that the manual transmission may soon be a thing of the past.

Volkswagen’s decision to drop the manual option from the Golf lineup is aimed at helping the automaker meet tough new Euro 7 emissions legislation. While this move may disappoint some enthusiasts, it is part of a larger trend towards automatic transmissions that is being driven by changing consumer preferences and government regulations.

It remains to be seen what transmission options will be available for the Golf GTI after 2024. However, it is likely that the car will be offered with a dual-clutch transmission, which is already a popular choice among Golf buyers. For those who prefer the feel and control of a manual transmission, there are still some automakers that offer this option.

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