Volkswagen Drops Standard GTI in Europe Due to Stricter Emissions Standards [News]

Could performance cars suffer in the wake of new emissions targets?

Hold onto your keyboards for a moment – the Volkswagen GTI is not disappearing entirely. However, Volkswagen has dropped the standard model due to changing Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) requirements. In the wake of the string of emissions scandals, the European Union adopted a new, stricter law at the beginning of July 2017. The standard will take affect for all vehicles from September 2018. As the emissions regulation tightens around all new cars – not just diesels – models like the Volkswagen Golf GTI are seeing the axe.

However, all is not lost in that market. Carscoops reports that the 241 horsepower GTI Performance is still on sale in German and British markets. Those wanting to get their hands on a GTI, though, will have to shell out more cash. Instead of going for the now-defunct standard model, buyers will have to spring the equivalent of $38,350 to $39,975 for the Performance model, depending on the market. Mind you, European customers do get some more features for their money, including LED headlights, navigation and 18-inch alloys. They also get a 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.2 seconds.

While Volkswagen culls the standard GTI, the company was also forced to shave 10 horsepower off its Golf R to meet the new WLTP requirements. Volkswagen equipped the R with a new exhaust system to comply with the new standards. While the standard GTI is gone in European markets, it seems, Volkswagen will still launch more high-performance versions, such as the Golf GTI TCR, later this year. That 286 horsepower “ultimate GTI” is not coming to the U.S. market, sadly.

Will emissions regulations hamper future performance cars?

Since Volkswagen is currently working on the eighth-generation Golf, their decision to pull the Mk 7.5 GTI from the market may not have a chilling effect. This also only affects the European market at the moment, so U.S. GTI buyers need not worry. At least not yet.

A bigger question at play is whether emissions regulations will more seriously affect hot hatches. Will future emissions legislation hamper future conventional performance cars? Let us know what you think in the comments below! Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more emissions updates.