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Read moreVolkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R: Manual Gearboxes Are Gone after 2024
Certainly, 2024 will be a challenging year for the automobile industry as many iconic and legendary models are set to be withdrawn from the market. Fortunately, the Golf R and Golf GTI will still be part of the German manufacturer\'s lineup for 2024. However, there is some less favorable news. Indeed, Volkswagen has made the heart-wrenching decision to remove the manual gearbox from the options list for both models at the end of this new year.
This will leave us with only one option, the 7-speed DCT gearbox starting from the 2025 model. To be perfectly honest, as an automotive journalist, I have nothing but praise for the latter. It allows the Golf to offer better performance while being more fuel-efficient. It\'s clear that on paper, it was the logical choice to make.
However, the automotive enthusiast in me is still outraged. Volkswagen is one of the last automakers to offer a manual gearbox in its new models. Needless to say, the news of the removal of this option has caused quite a stir in the automotive community this week.
The Golf GTI Edition 380
Fortunately, there\'s not only bad news when it comes to the Volkswagen Golf. The German manufacturer\'s compact sports car will get a brand-new special edition exclusively for North America in 2024. The Golf GTI Edition 380 succeeds the GTI 337, and it will be exclusively offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which is sure to please the model\'s enthusiasts. The Golf GTI Edition 380 also gets unique 19-inch wheels and several black elements like the roof and mirror covers. Volkswagen has even decided to offer two new exclusive colors for this version: Dolphin Gray and Grapefruit Yellow.
The 2024 Golf GTI will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine across all versions. This engine produces 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base price for the 2024 GTI is $34,795, while the Edition 380 will cost $36,895.
On the other hand, the Golf R is also powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. However, its power output is 315 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the Golf GTI, the R version comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
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