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2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380: Last Dance With the Manual Gearbox

TheVolkswagen Golf GTI, yesterday and today
Photo: Volkswagen
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Derek Boshouwers
VW’s Golf GTI 380 edition will mark the end of the stick shift in the model

•    Volkswagen will present a 2024 Golf GTI 380 edition, the last edition to feature a manual gearbox.

For those who appreciate the purity of driving, the manual transmission is often considered an essential element. That's why the announcement of Volkswagen's Golf GTI 380 edition for 2024, marking the last year of production with a manual transmission, resonates as a celebration without much celebrating called for.

Designed for the North American market, this version of the GTI celebrates the end of an era with a look back at the model's history.

A celebration of the past
The name "380" is not chosen at random. It refers to the vehicle's internal model code, a nod to the "337" special edition of the fourth generation sold in 2002.

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, rear
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, rear
Photo: Volkswagen

Exterior design
Two versions will be available: Autobahn and Performance, each with its own exterior design features. Distinctive features include 19-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels in high-gloss black, shod with high-performance summer tires.

The GTI 380 gets a gloss black roof and mirrors that contrast subtly with the GTI's iconic red exterior details. Two exclusive metallic colours, Pomelo Yellow and Dolphin Gray, add to the available colour options.

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, interior
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, interior
Photo: Volkswagen

Interior and comfort
Inside, the Autobahn version of the GTI 380 features Scalepaper Plaid fabric seats and honeycomb accents, a nod to the GTI's rich history. For those choosing the Performance version, Vienna leather seating surfaces are standard, although customers can opt for Scalepaper Plaid fabric if they wish. The golf-ball-shaped gear knob, present on almost every generation of GTI, remains a constant feature.

Under the hood
The GTI 380 is powered by a 2.0L EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This is the last Golf GTI to be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox, with future models adopting the DSG dual-clutch transmission.

The Golf GTI 380 will be available from Canadian dealers from early autumn, with a starting price of $36,895.

In announcing this model, Volkswagen is not only marking the end of manual transmission for the Golf GTI, but also for the Golf R and Jetta models. It's a landmark moment, not only for the GTI, but also for the history of three-pedal driving.

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, front
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, front
Photo: Volkswagen
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, manual gear shifter
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380, manual gear shifter
Photo: Volkswagen
Derek Boshouwers
Derek Boshouwers
Automotive expert
  • Over 5 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 50 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 30 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists