In the latest automotive update, Volkswagen confirms the Golf Mk8.5 GTI facelift will exclusively feature a DSG transmission, marking the end of the road for manual gearbox enthusiasts. Despite initial hopes that the manual option would persist, VW’s development chief, Kai Grünitz, cites emissions regulations and shifting consumer preferences as the driving factors behind this decision. With only five percent of global GTI customers opting for the manual transmission, the transition to DSG aligns with the overwhelming preference for automatic transmissions. This article explores the implications of this shift, touching on potential price changes and the sentiment among enthusiasts.
