We’ve already seen details of the seventh generation of the Golf GTI but now we know that it’s going to be joined by its diesel-powered partner, the Volkswagen Golf GTD.
2013 Volkswagen Golf GTD
What Is It?
It’s a diesel-powered Golf GTI. The GTD badge is over 30 years old but the basic recipe remains the same, offering an enticing blend of performance and economy wrapped up in a practical Golf shell.
Visually the Golf GTD resembles the GTI thanks to its smoked LED rear lights, chrome dual exhaust, side skirts, rear diffuser, roof spoiler and remodelled front bumper with chrome GTD badging. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and with a more sporting suspension setup than standard Golfs.
Inside the theme continues with tartan seats that mimic those in the GTI. The GTD also gets white ambient lighting in place of the GTI’s red.
GTI styling on the outside …
What’s Special About It?
The Golf GTD has always provided a great mixture of performance and economy. We drove the Mk6 GTD and found it to be hugely impressive, providing near-GTI levels of fun with over 50mpg achievable when you back off the throttle.
As you might expect the new GTD is more powerful than before. The old model had 168bhp and 350NM of torque, the new one has 182bhp and 380Nm. Not a huge leap but the performance figures are obviously better. 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 142mph clearly beats the 8.1 seconds and 138mph of the Mk6. Drive is to the front wheels through the same choice of six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
What really makes the new GTD stand out is the big improvement in economy. Official figures suggest that the Golf GTD will now stretch a gallon out to 67.3 miles. That’s a 14 mpg improvement, with CO2 emissions dropping by 30g/km to just 109g/km with the manual gearbox. That puts it in VED Band B, costing nothing in the first year and just £20 per year after*.
… and GTI theme continues on the inside
How Much Is It?
The new Golf GTD is about to go on sale in Germany and starts at a price of 29,350 euros. The last model was priced just below the GTI in the UK, so expect to be paying around £25k. It goes on sale in April with deliveries starting in the summer.
