No manual in 2019 Golf GTI

[BenT]

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/2019-volkswagen-golf-gti-to-ditch-manual-transmission-112732

Ben

Current
2015 Polo GTI manual
2018 Golf GTI Original manual

Previous
2014 Polo GTI DSG
2013 Golf GTI DSG
2006 RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup manual
2006 Golf GTI manual
2005 Golf 2.0 TSI manual
2001 Astra SRi manual
2000 Pulsar SSS manual
1999 Astra CD auto
1998 Pulsar SLX auto
1991 Pulsar GL manual
1981 Subaru Leone auto

[DV52]

^^^^ Ben: Without intending any offense, if you think differently about DSG then perhaps ALL 2019 Golf GTI's are available as manual transmissions??

Don

[ABCD]

Was always going to happen to the GTI at some point I suppose. Presumably won’t be a manual
option for the 2019 R either? The writing was on the wall for the manual Golf a few years ago when the manual transmission was deleted from the mid spec Golf Comfortline. Presumably it will remain an option on the entry level Golfs but only to keep the headline price down.
Still great news for the Hyundai marketing team, with the manual only Hyundai 130N certain to be where the prospective manual GTI buyer will be heading later this year.

[Brycem]

Not sure the manual gti drivers will be able to switch to a lesser brand so readily. Nothing mildly aspirational or ’premish’ about an i30.

Let’s hope they bring a manual in the MK8. I say that as I am on my seventh manual gti which have spanned sixteen years and included 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s and currently a 7.5.

[BenT]

^^^^ Ben: Without intending any offense, if you think differently about DSG then perhaps ALL 2019 Golf GTI's are available as manual transmissions??

Don

Well they have two clutches but there’s nothing manual about the gear change, even if you press a button on the steering wheel.


Ben

Current
2015 Polo GTI manual
2018 Golf GTI Original manual

Previous
2014 Polo GTI DSG
2013 Golf GTI DSG
2006 RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup manual
2006 Golf GTI manual
2005 Golf 2.0 TSI manual
2001 Astra SRi manual
2000 Pulsar SSS manual
1999 Astra CD auto
1998 Pulsar SLX auto
1991 Pulsar GL manual
1981 Subaru Leone auto

[pepito]

Hmm, looks like I'll be hanging on to my 2015 GTI for longer than I'd planned.


==

[Mattlock]

Not sure the manual gti drivers will be able to switch to a lesser brand so readily. Nothing mildly aspirational or ’premish’ about an i30.

Let’s hope they bring a manual in the MK8. I say that as I am on my seventh manual gti which have spanned sixteen years and included 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s and currently a 7.5.

You say that but I don’t think that’s the case. I can only speak for myself but I have just bought an i30N to replace my Mk7 R manual.

I didn’t buy it because of the badge; I bought it because of the mechanical engineering and the way it drives - it behaves much more like my Mk5 GT did with its manual gearbox. The 7R manual was a compromise from the start and the car feels like that every day (and I’ve owned my R for 2.5 years now).

It’s a shame that VW have down this way but it was inevitable.


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[ABCD]

This is another example of how statistics coming out of VW just cannot be trusted. They are quoting only 10% of GTIs are manual, to imply dwindling demand for a manual transmission has been the driver for their decision. But then they claim that culling the (fractionally) less fuel efficient manual from the range will somehow help them meet more stringent emissions targets. Perhaps this logic would have legs if say 80% of GTIs were sold in manual guise but if “only” 10% are manual something does not stack up.
So I just had a quick look at carsales.com and entered Golf;7.5;GTI; Transmission – Any into the search tool. 136 ads. Change “Transmission” to Manual and there are 31 ads. Even with my maths this is a long way from 10%!!

[Mk R]

This is another example of how statistics coming out of VW just cannot be trusted. They are quoting only 10% of GTIs are manual, to imply dwindling demand for a manual transmission has been the driver for their decision. But then they claim that culling the (fractionally) less fuel efficient manual from the range will somehow help them meet more stringent emissions targets. Perhaps this logic would have legs if say 80% of GTIs were sold in manual guise but if “only” 10% are manual something does not stack up.
So I just had a quick look at carsales.com and entered Golf;7.5;GTI; Transmission – Any into the search tool. 136 ads. Change “Transmission” to Manual and there are 31 ads. Even with my maths this is a long way from 10%!!

Also note that Pottinger quoted the Euro emissions targets. Well the GTI is still available in manual there for 2019, as it is in the US and China, they're just removing it from the Australian market which has no bearing on Euro emissions rules. That's dishonest. I'd say they're doing this to maximise sales of the more expensive DSG version and optimise service revenue from DSG. After 42 years of heritage, the GTI is cutting ties with the most engaging and arguably fun transmission option. Its a sad day for the GTI and VW.

[Mattlock]

No manual in 2019 Golf GTI

Also note that Pottinger quoted the Euro emissions targets. Well the GTI is still available in manual there for 2019, as it is in the US and China, they're just removing it from the Australian market which has no bearing on Euro emissions rules. That's dishonest. I'd say they're doing this to maximise sales of the more expensive DSG version and optimise service revenue from DSG. After 42 years of heritage, the GTI is cutting ties with the most engaging and arguably fun transmission option. Its a sad day for the GTI and VW.

Nailed it.

This smacks of a local VWA decision, not a VW HQ decision. If they discontinued the manual in the UK, they would be losing way too many sales to justify the decision.

But it’s fine. I am happy to get my manual hot hatch fix in a car with less weight and the same power and $5k cheaper.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[SteveMc]

This is another example of how statistics coming out of VW just cannot be trusted. They are quoting only 10% of GTIs are manual, to imply dwindling demand for a manual transmission has been the driver for their decision. But then they claim that culling the (fractionally) less fuel efficient manual from the range will somehow help them meet more stringent emissions targets. Perhaps this logic would have legs if say 80% of GTIs were sold in manual guise but if “only” 10% are manual something does not stack up.
So I just had a quick look at carsales.com and entered Golf;7.5;GTI; Transmission – Any into the search tool. 136 ads. Change “Transmission” to Manual and there are 31 ads. Even with my maths this is a long way from 10%!!

Here's the spin on it from Car Advice ... No Golf GTI manual: Is this the beginning of the end? It's plainly aimed at provoking argument with words like "beginning of the end", "wank" and "bull****", but I can see the trend loud and clear from other manufacturers.

If the numbers don't add up, maybe the fact that the company is culling a component already in production is salient. If they weren't willing to tool up for a new manual 'box claiming the demand wasn't there, you might be suspicious. But they'd be waving goodbye to profit if manuals were still making them decent sales, and that's something that any company is obviously reluctant to do.

I know I had problems selling my Mazda 2, despite it having bugger all mileage and sharpest price in it's bracket. The manual tranny was the only thing that could've held it back for so long. But the numbers of manuals appearing on the websites just reflects the numbers of owners wishing to sell of course, and won't be represented proportionally if one aspect (the transmission) of their cars is unfavorable. Resale was the first thing in my head ordering my DSG, looking at the market in 10 years time when I'm likely to sell again.

As a new auto convert, I miss the "rowing" only very occasionally. But I'm very glad even for the only slightly greater chance the tool driving towards me around the sharp bend we're both on with his mobile on the passenger seat has both hands on the wheel.

[Ozsko]

Manual gearboxes for better or worse are going the way of the Dodo, not just yet but it can't be far off. VW continually lie about reasons for not listing options, didn't they tell us that some higher KW motors could not be had because of the higher ambient temps in Oz and now they make them available.

[ABCD]

Further underlining the complete lack of trust in VW Australia with respect to the lack of demand for a manual GTI I have just remembered the VW Golf GTI 40 Years model from less than 12 months ago. As I recall there were 100 manual variants out of 500 in total ie 20%, and that the manual sold out even before a single car had arrived in the country!!! Fast forward less than 8 months and VWA are trying to have us believe no one will want a manual GTI. What a load of b****cks!!!!

[WallySimmonds]

Well, they can do what they like, it's their company.

As someone who was strictly about the manuals and have had to go for a DSG equipped Golf due to my partner not being able to drive one, I have actually found it to be ok. For stop-start it's simply better, with the downside when driving spiritedly it's a less fun. Given the direction the industry as a whole is moving to, I'm not surprised in the slightest.

I personally won't buy another manual car again unless it's a second car (MX5 for example).

[BenT]

Taught my wife to drive a manual years ago and now she prefers it.


Ben

Current
2015 Polo GTI manual
2018 Golf GTI Original manual

Previous
2014 Polo GTI DSG
2013 Golf GTI DSG
2006 RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup manual
2006 Golf GTI manual
2005 Golf 2.0 TSI manual
2001 Astra SRi manual
2000 Pulsar SSS manual
1999 Astra CD auto
1998 Pulsar SLX auto
1991 Pulsar GL manual
1981 Subaru Leone auto