The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 is a bittersweet special edition model. It comes with some cosmetic and performance enhancements but it is also the bearer of bad news. With the announcement of this car, VW has confirmed that there won't be any manual transmission Golf models sold in Canada after the 2024 model year.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 name is a nod to the car's internal chassis code. The automaker has used codes like this before, like with the 337 special edition car sold in 2002.
The GTI 380's cosmetic changes include gloss black wheels (from the 20th edition Golf R) along with a gloss black roof and mirrors. The GTI 380 will get Pomelo Yellow and Dolphin Gray as exclusive paint colours and will also be sold in black, red, and white.
Volkswagen will include the GTI 380 pack on all stick-shift cars, offering Autobahn and Performance trim grades for 2024. Both will get Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping, which was previously exclusive to the Performance trim. Both will also get summer performance tires, though VW didn't say the model or size. VW will also let Performance trim buyers pick its classic Scalepaper Plaid, which isn't normally offered on that trim. Leather will be standard, and the Autobahn trim will continue to have the plaid cloth seats.
And yes, this special edition model will be the last three-pedal Golf GTI, Volkswagen has confirmed. That goes for the Volkswagen Golf R and the standard Volkswagen Jetta sedan, as well. For the 2025 model year, the only manual transmission Volkswagen sold in Canada will be the Jetta GLI. It's inevitable, but that doesn't mean we won't miss the involvement of the extra work driving a stick requires and the enjoyment that comes with it.
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 starts from $36,895 and will arrive at dealers in early fall. DSG-equipped models will continue to offer the base trim and will start from $34,795.
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