---
title: "2019 VW Golf R Won’t Be Offered With a Manual Transmission in Some Markets"
description: "Manual transmission take rate is still around 50 percent in the United States."
date: "2018-08-17"
modified: "2018-08-17"
authors:
  - name: "Rahul Raman"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/rahul-raman"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/22980/2019-vw-golf-r-wont-be-offered-with-a-manual-transmission-in-some-markets"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Volkswagen News"
tags:
  - "automotive news"
  - "compact"
  - "Golf R"
  - "Hatchback"
  - "Hot Hatchback"
  - "Manual Transmission"
  - "News"
  - "Shop"
  - "sports car"
  - "Volkswagen"
---

# 2019 VW Golf R Won’t Be Offered With a Manual Transmission in Some Markets

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/08/golf-r.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Volkswagen [Golf R enthusiasts](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/22014/the-200000th-volkswagen-r-model-has-been-delivered-and-its-going-to-a-good-home>) living in the United Kingdom, I have some bad news for you: Volkswagen will drop the availability of a manual transmission from its portfolio starting in 2019. The decision was made due to the low demand for the three-pedal option.

*The Drive* learned of this important change to its U.K. Golf R models through a Volkswagen of America spokesperson, who confirmed the change via email and also mentioned that [U.S.-bound Golf Rs](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/22864/2018-volkswagen-golf-r-test-drive-review-vw-builds-a-hot-hatch-metaphor-for-adult-sense-and-sensibility>) will still offer the old-school transmission. In fact, he confirmed that demand for manuals was still at healthy levels in the United States.

![message-editor%2F1534540720334-2018\_golf\_r-large-7562.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1534540720334-2018_golf_r-large-7562.jpg>)
**VW**

"We sell about 50 percent of Golf Rs with manual transmissions here in the U.S. - it is a higher percentage than GTI," said VW spokesperson Mark Gillies.

While this announcement might calm down many [Golf R](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>) enthusiasts in the U.S., we are not sure if the manual transmission will once again be offered as an option in the upcoming Mk VIII Golf R models, and VW did not comment on the matter. However, VW-owned Audi recently announced that starting in 2019, it will be removing the manual transmission option from the [A4 sedan](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/2537/the-new-audi-a4-brings-brains-and-beauty-instead-of-brawn>) and the A5 coupe—which means there won't be a single Audi model available with a manual transmission in the United States.

If the trend of axing the manual transmission in cars manufactured by the Volkswagen Group continues, the row-it-yourself gearbox might soon come to an end.

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