The two-door Volkswagen GTI is dead, we learned at the brand’s full-line launch event today. Production of the model has ended, VW confirmed upon our inquiry: “The trend is clearly shifting toward four-door models,” said Volkswagen of America’s marketing chief, Hendrik Muth. Previously, VW had indicated that the two-door would continue for 2017 but in base trim only.
The decision mirrors VW’s Golf R offering, which also comes as a four-door only; the two-door Golf already had been dropped. At Audi, CEO Rupert Stadler has publicly questioned the wisdom of the two-door versions of the Audi A1 and A3, both of which are not available in the United States.
What hasn’t ended, fortunately, is production of the manual transmission for the GTI. And VW has upgraded content of the GTI for the 2017 model year.
- Volkswagen GTI Tests, Reviews, Specs, Pricing, and More
- Volkswagen Unveils Five Custom Cars for the Enthusiast Crowd
- 2016 10Best Cars: Volkswagen Golf, GTI, Golf R
Last year, the two-door GTI was $600 cheaper than the corresponding four-door. It was available by order only, which could make it hard for anyone seeking the body style of the original GTI to hunt down one of the remaining two-doors.