The eighth-gen Golf is on the horizon so the base Golf GTI VII will not be returning.
The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure, which began at the beginning September, is causing serious problems for the Volkswagen Group. The Golf R and the SEAT Leon Cupra hatchback have both lost 10 horsepower in order to comply with the stricter emissions regulations of the new WLTP cycle. To prepare for the retirement of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), Porsche must reshuffle its custom orders .
VW has taken another hit by having to pull the base Golf GTI model from Europe, where the Golf GTI Performance is available. The Golf GTI TCR Concept will be joining it eventually. The base version of the hot-hatch won’t be seen back in the lineup, considering that the eighth-generation Golf will make its debut in the first quarter of next year.
VW wouldn’t have to make the standard GTI WLTP-friendly, considering that it will only be selling it for a few more months. The fate of the regular Octavia RS and the base Golf GTI remains to be seen. They use the same engine.
Other than the VW empire itself, the switch to WLTP will affect other automakers. BMW and its M3 will be retiring from the European market in June. The M4 coupe will go on hiatus for about two months. After that, it will return to the lineup. While the next-gen M4 will still be a few years away, a new M3 will arrive before the end of 2019. According to BMWBLOG, the 7 Series will not be available on the continent with gasoline engine for approximately one year.
Last note: Another GTi is being cut as Peugeot bids farewell to its 308 GTi because of the same reasons.