We’ve got some good news for fans of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R (or just hatchbacks in general). At a round-table interview at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, company executives admitted that despite some rather slow sales last year, the hot hatch will almost certainly always have a place in the lineup, serving as a core component of VW’s identity rather than a mere money-making opportunity. Those are strong words that should bring almost every car enthusiast some joy, even as the automaker redoubles its efforts on building compelling crossovers like the redesigned Atlas.
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