Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 Marks Final Year of Manual Transmission Production

Yeah, it’s another one of those articles– another manual transmission bites the dust, and this time it’s the six-speed found in the Volkswagen Golf. The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI will mark the vehicle’s final year of manual transmission production; but, not to just go quietly into the night, it’s coming in clutch once more with the GTI 380.

We’ve made some incredible memories in stick shift Golfs; and clearly VW has too, signified by the GTI 380. Available exclusively for the North American market, the 380 is not a special edition model, rather a special edition build combination that comes standard on all manual-equipped 2024 GTI’s, said to celebrate the heritage of the manual transmission Golf, including the GTI and R models.

Volkswagen enthusiasts may have already picked up on the titular nod, as the ‘380’ designation comes from the MK8’s internal model code. And, of course, the throwback features don’t stop there. The interior is a real retro treat, starting with the golf-ball inspired shift knob and various honeycomb accents. On the S and SE trims, the cabin is completed by “Scalepaper Plaid” cloth seats, though the Autobahn trim comes standard with Vienna leather upholstery.

Outside, 380-equipped GTI’s can be had in an exclusive color, Graphite Gray Metallic, or any of the Golf’s typical lacquers. It rides on a set of black 19-inch aluminum wheels, borrowed from the Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition, wrapped in summer tires and hiding the standard equipped DCC adaptive dampers. Other accents include red exterior detailing, black mirror caps and an equally dark roof.

The GTI 380, like the rest of the GTI lineup, uses the EA888 engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four putting down 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. While the six-speed manual is shifting into the sunset, the 7-speed DSG automatic will continue to thrive. And, to be fair, we’ve driven Golf’s with the DSG and, while we’ll always miss rowing the gears ourselves, there’s enough performance potential with the automatic to keep us amused with this staple hatchback.

Still, diehard enthusiasts may want to scoop up a six-speed Golf while they still can. Going on sale in North American dealerships this fall, the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 S starts at $33,635 with delivery, working up to $38,435 for the SE and $41,775 for the Autobahn.