2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI to ditch manual transmission

Volkswagen is upping the ante across its Golf GTI performance hatch portfolio – but with a catch.

With the current 169kW/350Nm model no longer available due to emissions regulations, the manufacturer’s Australian arm has confirmed it will make the more powerful ‘Performance Edition’ of the GTI standard fare across the range for 2019.

Available from October, the upgrade sees all Australia GTI deliveries boast 180kW of power and 370Nm (up from 169kW/350Nm) from an uprated 2.0-litre turbo-four. A newer seven-speed wet-clutch DSG automatic is now standard fitment, along with an electro-mechanical front differential and ventilated front and rear disc brakes borrowed from the Golf R.

The performance additions coincide with a hastened 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds (down 0.2 seconds), and an improved fuel consumption rating of 6.5L/100km, presumably brought about by the gearbox’s extra ratio.

What has been lost during the changeover is the Golf GTI’s six-speed manual transmission. While performance enthusiasts will likely disapprove, motoring.com.au understands that manual transmissions curently account for about one in 10 regular GTI sales.

In essence, the move has been brought about in part by a change in European emission testing standards. There is every likelihood the next-generation Golf GTI will remedy the manual issue.

“Change brought about by the advent of Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) in Europe is one of the major challenges confronting European brands in this market, but we were able to take advantage of this situation to improve the best-selling car of its type,” said VW’s Australian marketing manager, Ben Wilks.

“Such has been the demand for Performance Editions that making its specification standard is a logical progression, especially in terms of DSG, a transmission others are either trying to copy or cannot.

“This GTI embodies what customers want.”

As such, the MY19 Golf GTI will be simplified to a five-door offering only. Until then, Volkswagen Australia will continue to run out existing stock of the three-door Original and six-speed manual variants.

Volkswagen recently secured a further 100 versions of the GTI Original, currently available in manual form at $38,490 drive away.

In addition, Wilks hinted there will be more movement in the 2019 GTI portfolio yet.

“An announcement about the GTI TCR, unveiled at this month’s Worthersee festival, will be made next month,” he said.

Orders for the MY19 Golf GTI will commence from June. Pricing and specification is yet to be revealed.

The current DSG-equipped GTI five-door starts from $44,490 plus on-road costs.