Lifeless: Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Volkswagen has confirmed that it’s going to now not promote any automobiles in the US with a guide transmission after the 2026 mannequin 12 months. The automaker has discontinued the gearbox within the Jetta GLI for 2027, leaving the model with zero manual-equipped automobiles.  

TFLCar just lately reported {that a} new order information for VW’s 2027 lineup omitted the Jetta GLI with the guide. In a press release to the publication, a Volkswagen spokesperson mentioned:  

‘As drivers and automotive fanatics, we admire manuals too! That’s why our area labored very exhausting to maintain them round—we all know it issues to a small however passionate group of drivers who love being absolutely engaged and rowing their very own gears. Even so, world demand continued to slim to a degree the place the market can now not maintain it. As a lot because it hurts, that actuality meant making some powerful decisions.’

In an e mail to Motor1, the automaker mentioned, “Jetta GLI with guide manufacturing will conclude on the finish of the 2026 mannequin 12 months.”

This leaves the enthusiast-focused sedan with simply the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission choice for the 2027 mannequin 12 months. It pairs with the identical 2.0-liter EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine as earlier than, which produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.  

Picture by: Volkswagen

A Dying Breed

The dying of the manual-equipped Jetta GLI arrives just some years after the automaker killed the choice within the Golf GTI and Golf R, and it’s half of a bigger development. The variety of new automobiles out there with a guide transmission continues to dwindle.  

For the 2026 mannequin 12 months, there are simply over 25 automobiles on sale that provide the transmission choice. There are a number of reasonably priced choices nonetheless out there, just like the Honda Civic Si and Mazda Miata, however they’re going through the identical market forces as Volkswagen.  

It is perhaps why we’re seeing automakers file patents for fake manual shifters. Even BMW is being sincere about the way forward for the transmission. Just some months in the past, the pinnacle of BMW, Frank van Meel, mentioned, “The manual doesn’t really make sense,” including:

‘It’s going to be fairly tough sooner or later to develop utterly new gearboxes as a result of the section available in the market is sort of small, and the suppliers aren’t so eager on doing one thing like that.’

If that’s the case, the guide transmission won’t be round for much longer at an reasonably priced value level. If the suppliers aren’t constructing them, the fee will go up, which is perhaps why Ferrari is rumored to be bringing back the gearbox.  

39

Supply: Volkswagen

Motor1’s Take: It’s unhappy to see Volkswagen kill its final automotive with a guide transmission, nevertheless it’s not a shock. Shoppers don’t need them as they used to, and in immediately’s world, there isn’t a sound enterprise case for persevering with to construct one thing so few need. Get one when you can and cherish it endlessly.