- 2024 will be the final year for manual-transmission-equipped Golf R and Golf GTI models in the United States.
- The GTI 380 package comes standard on manual-transmission Golf GTI models.
- The special-edition 380 model goes on sale this fall starting at $32,485.
Another blow to manual-transmission enthusiasts: The stick GTI is dead. At least it will be after the 2024 model year. Volkswagen is making a special edition for the current Golf GTI to celebrate the final year of manual transmission production. Coming on every standard-shift GTI, this special edition carries the GTI 380 badge.
This standard special package is more than just a sticker and embroidery kit. The Volkswagen GTI 380 models will come with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels and standard adaptive dampers. Of course, this package will also come with a golf-ball shift knob that helps you control the six-speed transmission.
Volkswagen is also pulling the manual transmission from its even more potent Golf R. That means neither Golf hatchback will see a manual transmission after 2024.
The Volkswagen GTI 380 S will start at $32,485 when it goes on sale this fall. The better-equipped GTI 380 SE starts at $40,625, with the range-topping R variant setting you back $40,625. These are all slight bumps over the current ’23 models but might be worth the extra cost for GTI devotees.
Do you think the manual transmission has a future in the United States? Tell us your thoughts below.
Wesley Wren has spent his entire life around cars, whether it’s dressing up as his father’s 1954 Ford for Halloween as a child, repairing cars in college or collecting frustrating pieces of history—and most things in between. Wesley is the current steward of a 1954 Ford Crestline Victoria, a 1975 Harley-Davidson FXE and a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie. Oh yeah, and a 2005 Kia Sedona.
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