66TDI Manual dropped from Polo lineup?

[alexaescht]

[Diesel_vert]

Sales figures not up to their expectations, perhaps?

Given that Australian passenger car sales are still predominantly based on petrol engines paired with automatic transmissions, I suppose anything which doesn't match that criteria are the first to go when it's time to rationalise the model line-up.

[pologti18t]

Ford dropped the diesel fiesta, mazda the diesel 3, Golf reduced to one highspec DSG model.

Diesel is such a small market in that segment that the manual versions are the first to be dropped from the range under rationalisation.

[brenno]

How embarrasing it must have been for VWA to have a manual diesel offering in their passenger car line-up. I'm glad they fixed this woeful error.

[The_Hawk]

I can understand things not be available on the dealer floor, but why not "special order"?

Surely the parts they are talking about are used in other models anyway? ie if it's the same manual box used in the other models anyway surely all the same spares are floating about anyway? (Same would go for a Polo GTI Manual too...)

Isn't that pretty much what they have done across the range anyway? Same DQ200/250/350 etc DSG's, same MQB chassis across lots of new models...

Anyway, sucks that you can't order any thing you want from the menu when they are all being made in the same factory anyway and some options are available to one country but not another.

[LD_mart]

I love my polo TDi manual, it's perfect for what I need. Obviously not the car for most people but does exactly I need from a car.

[Sharkie]

I can understand things not be available on the dealer floor, but why not "special order"?

Surely the parts they are talking about are used in other models anyway? ie if it's the same manual box used in the other models anyway surely all the same spares are floating about anyway? (Same would go for a Polo GTI Manual too...)

Isn't that pretty much what they have done across the range anyway? Same DQ200/250/350 etc DSG's, same MQB chassis across lots of new models...

Anyway, sucks that you can't order any thing you want from the menu when they are all being made in the same factory anyway and some options are available to one country but not another.

I 100% agree ... VW needs to step up and offer customers the option to buy a car in any spec that is available to be built (within reason) on special order.

If a a factory already builds that spec for some (other) markets then it can be done. The factory does not know that it is an "Australian" car its building, all it knows is a Golf etc with X, Y & Z options are to be built.

I want to be able to choose my car down to the last detail and don't want some "genius" at VWA to pick what I can and cannot have. Might as well buy a Toyota then.

[alexaescht]

66TDI Manual dropped from Polo lineup?

Thanks for everyone's comments regarding this.
If it was dropped globally, then obviously we wouldn't be able to get it, but surely it can't be that hard (or expensive) to even specially order manuals for the few customers who do go for them.

[alexaescht]

Gav, this could be something to add the the model year changes in stickies.

[pologti18t]

I 100% agree ... VW needs to step up and offer customers the option to buy a car in any spec that is available to be built (within reason) on special order.

That's essentially what VWA did offer on the Golf in previous versions. Do you remember the threads about 12month waits and the whinging? The competitors don't offer endless options (Mazda, Ford, GM, Hyundai etc) and they are doing just fine.

Special order manual diesel Golf? Which model? 1.6? 2L, Which manual? 5 speed? 6 speed? What happens if the buyer refuses to pay up at the end? Who wears the cost?

BTW the current Polo GTI isn't offered with a manual anywhere.

The fact is that Australians don't really want diesel small cars. Hyundai recently dropped the Accent diesel. Suzuki doesnt bother with a diesel Swift (yes, available in europe) and toyota doesn't import any diesel small cars here (corolla and yaris both have diesel options in Europe)

If a a factory already builds that spec for some (other) markets then it can be done. The factory does not know that it is an "Australian" car its building, all it knows is a Golf etc with X, Y & Z options are to be built.

False. Golfs (etc) for Australia are built in specific production slots. The factory does indeed know its bound for Australia.

[readerr0r]

About 8 in 10 cars sold here are automatics, so its no wonder a small volume version like the 66tdi would get streamlined. As others mentioned, small diesels aren't too popular compared to turbo petrol drivetrains and due to their smaller rev range, a person would be more likely to buy an auto equipped diesel.

Performance VAG diesels aren't being imported either, with the Golf GTD gone and the chance that the diesel Octavia RS isn't making it either (2 tdi RS' are on ships vs 40+ tsi RS')

[brenno]

Or perhaps the dwindling demand is due to lack of option.

The thing I don't understand is the hard line approach by VWA. It simply isn't even an option to order.

I realise it has traditionally been the auto box commanding a higher price, but why not turn that around and offer the manual box as a cost option?

It's not like they don't make them for other markets.

[readerr0r]

Or perhaps the dwindling demand is due to lack of option.

The thing I don't understand is the hard line approach by VWA. It simply isn't even an option to order.

I realise it has traditionally been the auto box commanding a higher price, but why not turn that around and offer the manual box as a cost option?

It's not like they don't make them for other markets.

The same could be said for the 3-door Golf GTI and A1/A3 and colours available as well. The market is becoming blander :|

[The_Hawk]

The same could be said for the 3-door Golf GTI and A1/A3 and colours available as well. The market is becoming blander :|

Totally, if they already make a particular combination of engine and gearbox why shouldn't I be able to order it?? Gearbox especially. Now if VWA said no manuals at ALL in Australia... well at least then you could say it's to simplify spare parts and training since they then only have a single option... somewhat understandable... but at the moment, why can't a I spec a manual attached to my Polo GTI? They have the box available and sitting there!! The 118TSI uses the same engine and make 240Nm of torque vs the 250Nm in the Polo GTI and they use the MQ250 6 speed manual which is rated (funnily enough) for 250Nm...

As for colours, if it's a matter of being available in a different market but not is Australia... why the hell not. If it's picking a non standard colour period and putting it on an alternative vehicle... well that's a little more complicated, but possible if they were keen enough. (That said I have heard rumour of people special ordering colours, but have no proof of it ever happening).

[amazeer]

front track is 100mm narrower in a polo gti than a mk6 golf. Maybe there isnt quite enough room for the 1.4 and the manual box? Shame, its why I never contemplated the extra $5K it would have cost to get me into one. I cant imagine that the GT wouldnt sell here. Thats the criminal omission in my book.