Friday 27th March 2009

Faster, further for new Golf GTD

Sporty and economical diesel hatch joins the VW line-up

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New GTD has GTI suspension...

Volkswagen has revealed a sporty diesel version of the new MkVI Golf with GTI design cues and handling to match.

Called the Golf GTD, the 168bhp diesel uses a 2.0-litre common-rail engine capable of producing a top speed of 138mph and doing the 0-62mph dash in 8.1sec.

The GTD gets the same suspension setup as the hot GTI hatch, which means firmer springs and dampers. It will also share part of the GTI's body kit to help emphasise the sporty pedigree, and will make up for the lack of aural stimulation through the use of a trick ‘sound generator’ exhaust that's said to produce a fruitier exhaust note.

...and returns up to 53.3mpg

But it’s not all about hot-diesel performance figures. Should you lend the keys to your grandmother, the new GTD will return a frugal 53.3mpg whilst emitting a claimed 139g/km of CO2.

Sales start in July, when customers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual 'box or a twin-clutch DSG transmission. Prices will start above the £19,320 asking price of the less powerful Golf GT TDI.

[emzino]

Not bad at all. A step in the right direction but I feel it should be abit more powerful.

Maybe they de-tuned it so it doesn't step on the other variants toes.

[nickpan]

Yeah, all it will need is a £500 superchip and it will be good for 210bhp and to 60 in 7 seconds making it a hot hatch.

Looks good...

[Fastra]

Any in-gear times available?

[kong]

Fastra said:

Any in-gear times available?

i'm fairly sure you have to be in gear to get to sixty....

[Matt_]

Hmmm not quite what I was expecting/wanting.

Was hoping for looks identical to the GTI and a twin turbo diesel with around 200bhp....

[FoolOnTheHill]

It's a good idea, I love my high-powered diesels, but give it some decent power as standard, save us having to wait 3 years or invalidating our warranty by getting it chipped ourselves.

[va1o]

Looks very nice, definetely better looking than the petrol GTI. However its a shame they have just dumped in the run-of-the-mill 170 TDI. There were an incredible ammount of rumors from even industry experts saying this would have a 123D rivalling twin-turbo 2.0 TDi producing at least 200bhp...

[Belfast Boy]

hmmm, nice wheels and engine but the rest is as dull as ever

[adycav]

va1o said:

There were an incredible amount of rumours from even industry experts saying this would have a 123D rivalling twin-turbo 2.0 TDi producing at least 200bhp...

VW will wait until they've sold a good few of these first.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if this supposed engine makes an appearance in an Audi first, but no doubt will eventually surface in the Golf GTD, Leon FR TDi and Octavia vRS TDi.

[anonymous-user]

I had an Orginal Mark 2 GTD. If the exhuast is set up like mine was then the 'fruity noise' will sound like a tractor racing..Maybe times have changed since then..

[va1o]

adycav said:

va1o said:

There were an incredible amount of rumours from even industry experts saying this would have a 123D rivalling twin-turbo 2.0 TDi producing at least 200bhp...

VW will wait until they've sold a good few of these first.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if this supposed engine makes an appearance in an Audi first, but no doubt will eventually surface in the Golf GTD, Leon FR TDi and Octavia vRS TDi.

I hope your right, as to be honest I had been looking forward to this GTD for ages but for me the 170 diesel is a big dissapointment.

[MElliottUK]

it looks dull

888 astra cdti was a good looking hot diesel

[va1o]

Other problem with MK6 Golfs in general, are the permenat day light running lights. THEY ARE AS ANNOYING AS HELL

Dealers are refusing to turn them off

Edited by va1o on Friday 27th March 19:54

[mark_davies]

The question is who will pay 20k for diesel golf ?

[adycav]

mark_davies said:

The question is who will pay 20k for diesel golf ?

Most of 'em will be company cars I'd imagine...

[va1o]

The £19,320 price in the article refers to the lesser GT 140 TDI.

I'd hate to think what this will cost, epecsially considering the petrol GTI 3dr starts at just over £22k....

Edited by va1o on Friday 27th March 20:40

[130R]

I would have one if someone gave it to me for free, I can't imagine actually spending money on something so dull though.

[Fire99]

On a slightly sensible note, how tough are these high-ish powered diesels from VAG these days?
My natural reaction when i think of diesels is that the engines go on forever but i've heard a few eye-opening stories about sub 100k BMW diesels costing some significant money so would be interested if this current wave of 'performance' from diesels comes at a price?

[Lotus98T]

Wont be a patch on the mk6 Astra bi-turbo diesel with 190bhp when Vauxhall release it!!

[Nicholas Blair]

Really not taken by this new Mk VI