The New Volkswagen Golf GTD

BOTANY, AUSTRALIA – Jun 10, 2010: The Golf model lineup has been growing in leaps and bounds: At the end of 2008, the sixth generation of the bestseller was launched in Europe. Shortly thereafter, in early 2009, the new Golf arrived in Australia. Then, the current Golf GTI was vaulted to centre stage, closely followed by the new Golf Wagon. And now the lineup continues: with the new Golf GTD. Its 125 kW power level makes it the highest-performance production Golf with a diesel engine today. The code letters GTD have revolutionized the diesel market with its turbocharged diesel engine; a diesel that is not only economical but exceedingly sporty too.

GTD key performance data
The new Golf GTD is powered by a highly advanced common rail TDI engine with a torque of 350 Newton-metre, fuel efficiency of 5.5 litres and CO2 emissions of 145 g/km. The GTD sprints from 0km/h to 100 km/h in just 8.1 seconds.

GTD affinities
The Golf GTD speaks to all diesel fans who value a maximum in dynamic performance. That is why the GTD shows such a clear affinity to the new Golf GTI (155 kW). While the GTI is in a league of its own with an efficient TSI engine that offers the performance of far more expensive sports cars, the Golf GTD is making its debut with phenomenal fuel economy and a range of approx. 1,000 kilometres (with a 55 litre fuel tank).

GTD high tech
The car’s technical ingredients are among the most advanced that the market has to offer. Naturally, the focal point of this high-tech composition is the TDI engine. Its specific torque is 176.4 Newton-metre per litre engine displacement. In practically any driving situation, the 16-valve four-cylinder engine offers the power of a sports car engine with six cylinders. Just as pioneering is the six-speed DSG gearbox from Volkswagen: Just as on the Golf GTI, on the Golf GTD too there will be an optional dual clutch transmission in place. The Golf GTD with DSG also accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and consumes just 5.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres on average (152/km CO2).

GTD exterior
The car’s visual appearance is impressive too. The GTD – equipped with a chassis lowered by 15 millimetres, 17-inch alloy wheels and 225 section tyres – shows parallels and once again a similarity to the GTI in terms of its styling and features. Consider the front end, for example: Among the hallmarks of the GTD and GTI are their bumper designs with standard front fog lights in a typical vertical layout. Their headlights and radiator grilles share the same construction as well. In the case of the GTD, the horizontal stripes in the radiator grille – typical of the GTI – are styled in chrome. At the rear, the turbo-diesel also has a diffuser, but it is modified: The diesel Golf can be recognized by the twin chrome tailpipes of its exhaust system in the diffuser. The taillights are also smoked.

GTD interior
The car’s interior follows Volkswagen’s GT philosophy as well. And this means ergonomics in its purest form, supplemented by features tailored to the Golf GTD. The “top sport seats” – the same as the ones used in the Golf GTI – define a higher standard. Their long-distance touring and racing properties are legendary, as is their styling. In contrast to the GTI, the black sport seats of the GTD are complemented by a light grey colour in the diamond stripe pattern instead of red. Another highlight is the three-spoke leather sport steering wheel. And, as on the steering wheel, the parking brake grip and gearshift surround are also finished in leather. The instrument and door trim areas are treated with “Black Stripe” gloss-black accents.

GTD is fully equipped
Furthermore, Golf GTD features include details such as chrome bezels for various switches, a black roofliner and black roof pillar trim, automatic climate control, Multi-Functional Display (MFD Plus) trip computer, centre armrests and the RCD 510 radio system. Standard features also include ESP with braking assistant, as well as seven airbags, including a knee airbag on the driver’s side.