VW Wants to Keep Manual Transmission in Its Vehicles
Jane Lu
· 4 min read
The wave of electric vehicles (EVs) will soon take over as efforts towards countering the effects of climate change continue.
Of course, greener cars are a step in the right direction, and the expectation is that this will go a long way towards saving the environment. As much as that is the case, Volkswagen (VW) still wants its vehicles to have manual transmission.
Letting go of something you’re used to is certainly a hard decision to make. That is one of the challenges that most manual transmission car owners will be facing in the coming days. If VW succeeds in keeping the gearbox in its vehicles, it will be a sigh of relief for those who prefer this option.
Volkswagen CEO wants to save the manual gearbox
Most automakers are on the path towards electrification, and Volkswagen is no exception. However, Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said that he still loves a traditional hatchback vehicle, as reported by
Motoring Research
. Keogh took to LinkedIn after sampling a pre-production version of the 2022 Golf R. Even after stepping out of an ID.4 electric SUV, Keogh declared that "the heart and soul" of the Volkswagen brand is the Golf R.
The CEO added that the new performance Mk8 model is a reminder "that the Volkswagen enthusiast spirit is alive and well." He also included a #savethemanuals hashtag at the end of his LinkedIn post. This confirms that North American enthusiasts can enjoy a six-speed manual transmission in the new Mk8 Golf R.
Keeping the manual transmission is not an easy task as Volkswagen moves towards more electric models. But, Keogh has rapidly propelled the expansion of the brand's enthusiast fleet during his time at the helm of Volkswagen North America. This puts him in the best position to save the manual gearbox.
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The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R comes with a manual gear shift
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Volkswagen is focused on making major investments in electric cars and doubling down on a fuller range of SUVs. VW's financial future may rely heavily on having successful electric models. But it may be encouraging to many fans to know that the automaker is not abandoning its core audience of driving enthusiasts.
This is evident in the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R, which comes with a manual gear shift. The new car reflects that VW is paying attention to what enthusiasts want.
2022 Golf R specifications
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The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has a powerful 315 horsepower turbo-four engine and an all-wheel-drive system with a drift mode. So, if you want a fast, small car with low-key looks, then the Golf R is a great option.
Although the vehicle shares technology and a modern interior with the GTI, the Golf R's subtle design details and exclusive equipment make it unique. According to
VW
, the standard six-speed manual version of the 2022 Golf R starts at $43,645.The car has Drift, Comfort, Special, Sport, and Race drive modes, which you can activate by pressing the "R" button on the steering wheel. The Golf R also features a 10-inch touchscreen at the dashboard's center.
The vehicle's cabin design provides a sportier aesthetic, and the steering wheel is thick-rimmed with touch-sensitive controls. The Golf R doesn’t come with plaid seat inserts like the GTI, but it boasts Nappa leather front seats.
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