Photo: Volkswagen
Part of me wants to criticize VW for killing the two-door Golf GTI because it's got 40 years of history behind it and looks more... European. But I'd never buy one, not even as a second-hand car because there are no benefits to having fewer doors.
Oh, sure, the C-Class Coupe looks so much sexier than the sedan. But that's because it has a slightly different design. The 2-door GTI just look unfinished and, considering how much it costs, it's no wonder people are avoiding it.
So, it's one of those cars that people say they love, but nobody buys, like the manual BMW M5. Volkswagen USA cannot afford to keep an unprofitable model in the lineup and will discontinue the two-door GTI starting with the 2017 model year.
The general trend has clearly shifted towards four-door hatchbacks, even in Europe. Speaking of which, we have to point out that the uber-cool Ford Focus RS used to have a two fewer doors than it has for 2016. The Renaultsport Megane, a direct rival of the GTI, will also make the switch.
“Our buyers and our dealers say that they want a four-door. We’ve reduced the complexity, which allows the customer to configure the GTI he or she wants online and go to the dealership and pick it up today. Obviously, the Golf R has been a popular car in four-door trim, so we don’t feel that it will be a deterrent. Our GTI customers have families, and they want to be able to take them with them wherever they go,” Megan Garbis, Product Manager for the Golf product line told Jalopnik.
Company officials have said that demand was so low that dealers weren't keeping them in stock. And when the GTI Sport trim level with a standard Performance Pack was announced, it was 4-door only.
So, it's one of those cars that people say they love, but nobody buys, like the manual BMW M5. Volkswagen USA cannot afford to keep an unprofitable model in the lineup and will discontinue the two-door GTI starting with the 2017 model year.
The general trend has clearly shifted towards four-door hatchbacks, even in Europe. Speaking of which, we have to point out that the uber-cool Ford Focus RS used to have a two fewer doors than it has for 2016. The Renaultsport Megane, a direct rival of the GTI, will also make the switch.
“Our buyers and our dealers say that they want a four-door. We’ve reduced the complexity, which allows the customer to configure the GTI he or she wants online and go to the dealership and pick it up today. Obviously, the Golf R has been a popular car in four-door trim, so we don’t feel that it will be a deterrent. Our GTI customers have families, and they want to be able to take them with them wherever they go,” Megan Garbis, Product Manager for the Golf product line told Jalopnik.
Company officials have said that demand was so low that dealers weren't keeping them in stock. And when the GTI Sport trim level with a standard Performance Pack was announced, it was 4-door only.
Google News