autoevolution
 

Volkswagen Ditching Manual Transmissions for Good by 2030

Right before the Dieselgate emissions scandal came to light, Volkswagen still believed in combustion-engined vehicles. Just a few years later, the German automaker has confirmed that electromobility is the way forward. As a result of this 180-degree turn, it was only a matter of time until VW AG decided to phase out every manual transmission in the lineup.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift 27 photos
Photo: Volkswagen
2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI facelift
I’m with the save the manuals crowd myself as I drive a stick shift. My previous car was a manual as well, and even though it’s not perfect in urban environments, the row-your-own box offers a connection between the driver and the vehicle that a good ol’ torque-converter automatic or a double-clutch unit can only dream of. The continuously variable transmission isn’t up to snuff either because artificial gear changes are not engaging.

On the other hand, developing a brand-new car, utility vehicle, or truck with a choice of two gearboxes translates to higher development and certification expenses. I wholly understand why so many automakers are ditching manuals in favor of two-pedal affairs, and I can’t point any fingers at VW for it.

According to motoring publication Auto Motor und Sport, you won’t be capable of buying a brand-new vehicle from the Volkswagen Group with a manual transmission from 2030 onward. The first casualty will be the ground-up redesign of the Tiguan in 2023, followed by the Passat. Considering that VW AG plans to switch to battery-electric vehicles by 2030 in Europe, it wouldn’t make sense for the Germans to spend money on upgrading manuals or developing new ones for an ever-shrinking pool of potential customers.

Over in Deutschland, automotive business intelligence firm JATO Dynamics estimates that 1,870 vehicles out of a total of 5,838 models across all manufacturers feature three-pedal trannies. These numbers paint a bleak picture for the most enthusiastic of drivers, but nevertheless, it is what it is.

On that stoic note, which manual-equipped Volkswagen do you think it’s worthy of being preserved for upcoming generations to admire and enjoy?
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)

Editor's note: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta and 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI pictured.

About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories