The number of cars available with manual
transmissions continues to decline with Volkswagen announcing that the 2018
Jetta GLI won’t be offered with a stick-shift.
Ever since the Jetta GLI landed on U.S. soil, a
manual transmission has been on offer alongside a six-speed dual-clutch.
However, for 2018, the German automaker has decided to make the dual-clutch the
only option due to the poor take rate for the manual.
Volkswagen spokesman
Mark Gillies said approximately 30 per cent of Jetta GLI’s sold have the
manual, well below the 50 per cent take rate in the Golf GTI.
Beyond the removal of one gearbox option, the Jetta
GLI remains largely unchanged for the 2018 model year. As a result, it
continues to utilize a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 210 hp
and 280 Nm of torque. Prices start at US$ 30,395, a US$ 1,680 premium
over the 2017 model.
