VW News: Good-Bye 2-Door Golf GTI. Hello Golf AWD?

[William Maley]

There are changes afoot in the Volkswagen Golf family. We'll begin with the bad news, the two-door Golf GTI will be no more in the U.S. Car and Driver was able to confirm this news with Volkswagen. Why? 

“The trend is clearly shifting toward four-door models,” said Volkswagen of America’s marketing chief, Hendrik Muth.

Originally, Volkswagen was planning to offer the two-door GTI for 2017, but only in the base S trim. 

Now for the possible good news, Volkswagen is considering adding all-wheel drive to the standard Golf. During the press launch of the Golf Alltrack, Volkswagen's vice president of product marketing and strategy Dr. Hendrik Muth explained that adding 4Motion to the Puebla, Mexico factory has brought forth new possibilities. The Truth About Cars asked if one of the possibilities was adding all-wheel drive to the standard Golf and Muth answered "Yes".

Volkswagen wants to give Subaru a real challenge in the compact class. The Japanese automaker is the only one that offers all-wheel drive on their standard compact models - Impreza and XV Crosstrek. 

Source: Car and Driver, The Truth About Cars
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

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[G. David Felt]

Cool, I hope GM is listening as they should be offering it in their lineup also.

[Frisky Dingo]

The 2-DR GTI will only be missed by stance bro's who want to bag their cars and put 20" Bentley wheels on it, and fanboys who are delusional enough to think the GTI is some almighty sports car.

In reality, they forfeit the inherent practicality of the 4-DR hatch, suffer from uglier looks thanks to their strange proportions, and offer no compelling reason to buy over the 4-DR- they're not even cheaper. 

VW needs to get the Scirocco over here. It's gorgeous, and would actually give people a reason to buy it over a 4-DR Golf or GTI, if passenger-hauling is a low priority. I mean, just look at it-

 

 

 

vs

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Hell yes to the sirocco!

[Stew]

I could see myself moving to a Scirocco in a few years if the Beetle treats me well.  They just need to sell it here!  An I would love it with AWD,

[G. David Felt]

I thought the Scirocco was a bust here when they sold it in the US. 

[A Horse With No Name]

26 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I thought the Scirocco was a bust here when they sold it in the US. 

It came in one of VW's many periods of existential angst as an automotive manufacturer.  You need to remember that people who love European cars universally suffer from Stockholm Syndrome.

 

http://counsellingresource.com/therapy/self-help/stockholm/

 

That disorder where you show affection towards the one abusing you.

...which might also explain why people love certain products....from car makers like Mercedes Benz for example...

[Frisky Dingo]

The Scirocco would be cool. They couldn't make it AWD though, for fear of stepping on the TT's toes. Keeping it FWD and cheaper would be the right call.

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, Frisky Dingo said:

The Scirocco would be cool. They couldn't make it AWD though, for fear of stepping on the TT's toes. Keeping it FWD and cheaper would be the right call.

Yes, despite my sarcasm I really would lay down coin for one.

[Stew]

The Scirocco is a beauty and I think bringing it may help with the brands lagging sales and the current sting of the diesel issues. 

[A Horse With No Name]

40 minutes ago, Stew said:

The Scirocco is a beauty and I think bringing it may help with the brands lagging sales and the current sting of the diesel issues. 

Now if we could just convince VWNA of that....but since when has VWNA done anything that seemed rational?

18 hours ago, Stew said:

I could see myself moving to a Scirocco in a few years if the Beetle treats me well.  They just need to sell it here!  An I would love it with AWD,

AWD would be awesome!

[William Maley]

On 9/19/2016 at 8:22 PM, Frisky Dingo said:

The 2-DR GTI will only be missed by stance bro's who want to bag their cars and put 20" Bentley wheels on it, and fanboys who are delusional enough to think the GTI is some almighty sports car.

In reality, they forfeit the inherent practicality of the 4-DR hatch, suffer from uglier looks thanks to their strange proportions, and offer no compelling reason to buy over the 4-DR- they're not even cheaper. 

VW needs to get the Scirocco over here. It's gorgeous, and would actually give people a reason to buy it over a 4-DR Golf or GTI, if passenger-hauling is a low priority. I mean, just look at it-

 

 

 

vs

 

 

I like the two-door GTI myself as it looks much cleaner than the four-door. Also, I wouldn't bag it or live in the fantasy land that it is the greatest car ever! 

[G. David Felt]

15 hours ago, Frisky Dingo said:

The Scirocco would be cool. They couldn't make it AWD though, for fear of stepping on the TT's toes. Keeping it FWD and cheaper would be the right call.

I disagree, make it an AWD EV for the US market. This Scirocco would sell big time I think.

[Stew]

They could also bring their midsize pickup in (name escapes me right now), I think that would be a massive hit as well.  While it would be awesome o have with a diesel, I think a lineup or turbo 4s (1.8t and 2.0t) along with the VR6 from the Passat would make this an interesting and popular entry into this rebounding segment.  I think a new van that looks like the original VW van would also bring in quite a few sales.  I mean seriously, who else could do a retro minivan and catch the hearts and minds of the people.  It would have an appeal to those in the segment that don't just want a 2 box minivan.

 

Admittedly, I may be certifiable ya'll

[Frisky Dingo]

13 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I disagree, make it an AWD EV for the US market. This Scirocco would sell big time I think.

You may be onto something there. Having a hybrid or EV model at least as an option could help make a stronger business case for it, and could help serve to differentiate it from the Golf.

[ccap41]

43 minutes ago, Stew said:

I think a new van that looks like the original VW van would also bring in quite a few sales.  I mean seriously, who else could do a retro minivan and catch the hearts and minds of the people.  It would have an appeal to those in the segment that don't just want a 2 box minivan.

I think this would actually be a huge hit. They would have to make it very very retro though. If nothing else it would be way cool of them..lol

[A Horse With No Name]

2 hours ago, dfelt said:

I disagree, make it an AWD EV for the US market. This Scirocco would sell big time I think.

This is already in the works, VW is betting on Electrics big time after the Diesel Fiasco.

[Frisky Dingo]

6 hours ago, Stew said:

They could also bring their midsize pickup in (name escapes me right now), I think that would be a massive hit as well.  While it would be awesome o have with a diesel, I think a lineup or turbo 4s (1.8t and 2.0t) along with the VR6 from the Passat would make this an interesting and popular entry into this rebounding segment.  I think a new van that looks like the original VW van would also bring in quite a few sales.  I mean seriously, who else could do a retro minivan and catch the hearts and minds of the people.  It would have an appeal to those in the segment that don't just want a 2 box minivan.

 

Admittedly, I may be certifiable ya'll

 

You're not. The Amarok would be a success over here. The truck market is only getting hotter. It's a no-brainer.

 

As for a neo-VW Microbus, it would sell like wildfire. Dealers wouldn't be able to get them fast enough. My wife would probably deny me physical intimacy until I got her one if they built one.

[G. David Felt]

43 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

 

You're not. The Amarok would be a success over here. The truck market is only getting hotter. It's a no-brainer.

 

As for a neo-VW Microbus, it would sell like wildfire. Dealers wouldn't be able to get them fast enough. My wife would probably deny me physical intimacy until I got her one if they built one.

I agree that the truck would do well, probably the Microbus too, just hope that unlike all past VW buses, they have a proper propulsion system to move them along as they are slower than a slug.

[Frisky Dingo]

3 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I agree that the truck would do well, probably the Microbus too, just hope that unlike all past VW buses, they have a proper propulsion system to move them along as they are slower than a slug.

 

Dude, the VW Bus is all about style and practicality. And style. 

[G. David Felt]

So this is the Bus some peeps are wanting?

[Frisky Dingo]

YES. It would bring people in by the droves. I'd be one of them.

[A Horse With No Name]

13 hours ago, Frisky Dingo said:

YES. It would bring people in by the droves. I'd be one of them.

Me too.  One can hope VW survives and thrives and decides to bring some interesting iron over ehre.

[Stew]

I love that van concept!  I remember seeing it and wondering why they don't bring it into production.  VW has a storied history they could really build off of if they just would.  Amarok, Scirroco, and a new Microbus would be great starts to building a better, more popular, and more profitable brand.  I also think just scuttling the TDIs is a horrible idea.  Fix the emission issues and get them back out there.  Scandals don't last forever.  Look at the Toyota unintended acceleration and the GM ignition scandal.  The sales hits were few and short.  Imagine a TDI Microbus that gets around 40 MPG with the diesel torque. 

[G. David Felt]

Don't need the Diesel torque when the Electric Torque can surpass it. Just think a smooth floored skateboard EV Microbus.

[Stew]

The idea of electric is great for some areas, bu here it isn't feasible yet.  We don't have the infrastructure for it and few if any public charging stations.  I think offering both would be great actually, along with the 2.0T as a base gas engine.  I figure this would be much smaller and lighter than a Pacifica or any of the other more conventional vans so the engines wouldn't need huge power to keep the Microbus moving.   

[surreal1272]

On 9/21/2016 at 3:19 PM, dfelt said:

So this is the Bus some peeps are wanting?

That's the only VW I want. 

[A Horse With No Name]

11 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

That's the only VW I want. 

It is really cool!

[Frisky Dingo]

Yeah. when you have a model/design that transcends generations and appeals to everyone from hippies to car enthusiasts, you did something right. How they didn't have this on the streets 3 years ago at this point is beyond me.

[A Horse With No Name]

4 minutes ago, Frisky Dingo said:

Yeah. when you have a model/design that transcends generations and appeals to everyone from hippies to car enthusiasts, you did something right. How they didn't have this on the streets 3 years ago at this point is beyond me.

As I said, VW is if anything irrational in its corporate thinking.  They are at once both too conservative and too radical.  They let existing designs wither on the vine and treat the North American market like a red headed step child. And at the same time they invest a kings ransom in Bugatti to make a point and sell a few hundred cars. 

 

This is why I have been bullish on the long term strategy of GM-I think GM is thinking more clearly than anyone else right now.

That being said, yes bring the damned van!