Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.Volkswagen is continuing to adjust its strategy in the U.S. market, and its latest decision confirms that manual transmissions are almost finished in the brand’s sporty models.After the Golf GTI and Golf R lost their three-pedal option, the same fate is now coming for the Jetta GLI.According to information reported by TFLCar, a Volkswagen representative confirmed that from the 2027 model year, the Jetta GLI will be available only with the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor fans of traditional sport sedans, that marks another important loss in a segment that has already become much smaller than it once was.Demand For Manuals Keeps FallingPhoto Courtesy: Volkswagen.The news will not surprise many people who follow the industry closely. Demand for manual transmissions has fallen sharply in recent years, even among buyers who once formed the core audience for affordable performance cars.More drivers now choose automatic transmissions because they shift faster, improve everyday convenience, and often deliver stronger acceleration numbers. Modern dual clutch gearboxes also fit better with emissions rules, fuel economy targets, and simplified production planning.A similar view was recently shared by Frank van Meel, the head of BMW M, who said manual transmissions make less sense in modern performance cars than they once did.AdvertisementAdvertisementVolkswagen appears to be following the same logic in the United States, where business certainty now matters more than preserving a low-volume enthusiast option.The Jetta GLI Keeps Its Familiar EnginePhoto Courtesy: Volkswagen.The 2027 Jetta GLI will continue to use Volkswagen’s familiar EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 122 cubic inch unit produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.That should be enough for the GLI to keep its reputation as one of the more enjoyable compact sport sedans on the American market. The seven-speed DSG brings extremely quick gear changes and usually allows better acceleration than the traditional manual gearbox.For buyers who still want a manual transmission, the list of affordable choices is becoming shorter. The Honda Civic Si remains one of the few options that still comes standard with a six-speed manual.AdvertisementAdvertisementBuyers with a larger budget can also look at models such as the Subaru WRX or Hyundai Elantra N, both of which still keep the traditional performance driving formula alive.Volkswagen Is Choosing Safer ConfigurationsPhoto Courtesy: Autorepublika.Manual transmissions have not disappeared from Volkswagen’s global lineup completely. Some European market models, including the Golf and T-Cross, still offer a manual option, which shows that demand still exists in certain regions.In America, however, Volkswagen’s strategy is changing because of tariffs, shifting buyer habits, and pressure to focus on more profitable configurations.Removing the manual gearbox from the Jetta GLI is another sign that the company is simplifying its U.S. lineup and concentrating on versions that make stronger commercial sense.AdvertisementAdvertisementAt the same time, Volkswagen is also studying a possible move into the pickup segment, a part of the North American market that has delivered huge profits for other manufacturers for years.This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
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