VW has unveiled the Golf GTD, which is the equivalent of a sporty GTI, but with a diesel engine.
The VW Golf GTD is powered by a 170 horsepower diesel engine that can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG transmission, just like the GTI. It accelerates from 0-62 mph in 8.1 seconds, has a top speed of 137 mph and uses just 5.3 litres fuel per 100 kilometres (44 mpg US).
The Golf GTD also features a sport suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels. The designs of the front bumper, the radiator grille and the headlights are also identical to those of the GTI.
PRESS RELEASE:
The new Golf GTD
Volkswagen presents sporty new model at the AMI in Leipzig
Wolfsburg/Leipzig, 27 March 2009 - Following the Polo, the BlueMotion initiative and the Golf GTI, Volkswagen is now spanning its next arrow in the bow: this time, the Golf GTD. With a powerful 125 kW (170 PS) TDI engine, it is aimed at diesel drivers who value the maximum in dynamics. The new GTD is extremely thrifty but at the same time extremely sporty. The GTD tag already has a tradition at Volkswagen: the first Golf GTD - the GTI among diesels - was built in 1982.
The new GTD is powerful and can boast of outstandingly low fuel consumption: the common-rail engine requires just 5.3 litres fuel per 100 kilometres. That corresponds to CO2 emissions of only 139 g/km. On the other hand, the car has a top speed of 222 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.
Like the GTI, the GTD will also offer, in addition to the 6-speed manual gearbox, an optional 6-speed DSG - the most efficient automatic gearbox of our time, in the opinion of many experts. Equipped with sport suspension and 17-inch alloy “Seattle” wheels, the GTD demonstrates that it shares GTI DNA on one hand through its extremely agile handling and, on the other, through parallels in appearance and equipment. The exterior announces unequivocally that it the sportiest diesel-powered Golf. The designs of the front bumper, the radiator grille and the headlights are identical to those of the GTI. However, the typical horizontal red strips in the GTI’s grille are chromed on the GTD.
Volkswagen’s GT philosophy has shaped the interior as well: top-of-the line sport seats in black and white as standard; a three-spoke steering wheel flattened along the bottom edge, a brake handle with a leather gaiter as well as light-grey seams to accent the leather handle; and a black moulded headliner are just a few of the GTD’s distinguishing features. The base price in Germany is 27,475.00 Euros.
Volkswagen will be presenting the new Golf GTD as well as the entire Volkswagen range in Hall 1 of the AMI in Leipzig through 5 April. The show is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Comments (13)
When the hell are they gonna release that in the states?
Never...
I've test drove the old TDI golf, and it was "okay", but something with a little more omph would certainly help.
Posted by Brian | March 27, 2009 9:50 AM
Posted on March 27, 2009 09:50
I always multiply the Diesels mileage by .8 to see the effective cost, a regular gas is usually about 20% cheaper. So close to = 40 mpg, still really good. VW is setting the standard for TDI and small displacement gas engines with high outputs. Good Job!
Posted by harryo | March 27, 2009 10:50 AM
Posted on March 27, 2009 10:50
I don't know about now, but for the last month, diesel has been the same price as regular gas.... who knows how long that will last, though
PS: I live in South Texas
Posted by Joan of Arc | March 27, 2009 12:38 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 12:38
Diesel in a sporty car? That goes together as well as a peanut butter and catfish sandwich.
Diesels are great at making torque but they do not have the throttle response, rev range or powerband of a gas engine.
That and the Clacky Clacky noise they make at idle annoys the poo out of me.
Posted by Mark | March 27, 2009 2:35 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 14:35
@Mark:
So I'm guessing you didn't know about the Audi that won at Le Mans in 2006 and 2007 with it's V12 diesel engine... it only makes 650hp and 811lb feet of torque... pathetic I know.
The Audi set a new record for most laps completed in 24 hours, It dominated the race so badly that the rules body changed the rules for diesels the following year to try to make it more fair. Audi won it again anyway, by 10 laps...in the rain...
As far as your throttle response comment: If you think a sports car has to rev to 8000 rpm, then I guess diesel will not qualify. On the other hand if I can make the same or more power at a third of the rpm, how is that a bad thing?
Why do I need to rev the crap out of an engine if I'm making 400+ hp and 700+ lb ft of torque from 2000rpm- 5000rpm? Don't get me wrong, you would have to completely change your driving style, but I think winning counts more than how high my redline is.
Posted by Paul | March 27, 2009 3:11 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 15:11
Sorry, I forgot the Audi won in 2008 as well.
Posted by Paul | March 27, 2009 3:13 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 15:13
i agree with Paul... diesels with high output are great. they last longer than petrol... so i would love to be able to keep my diesel sports car for twice as long as my petrol sports car.
Posted by anon | March 27, 2009 5:57 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 17:57
Get rid of that fugly wheels and charge a reasonable price, then sign me up!!
Posted by Topper | March 27, 2009 7:39 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 19:39
@Paul
High output diesels are great, but there is just something about the sound of a high revving highly built engine...
Of course if you gave it to Ferrari they'd probably make it sing just well as a petrol engine...
Posted by Brian | March 27, 2009 11:16 PM
Posted on March 27, 2009 23:16
@mark
It's your horrible perception of diesels that are wh we can't get diesels. Your clackety-clack description ended in the late 90's with small displacement diesels. Yeah sure a semi or a three-quarter-ton truck still clacks, but a similar displacement gas engine isn't exactly a smooth sound either.
CRD and direct injection have really helped the diesel progress. Some of BMW diesels are also able to rev to almost 5000 rpm.
I disagree with throttle response as well because the throttle pedal in modern drive-by-wire cars is just that -- a torque request pedal. Therefore a torque-heavy engin is going to be able to provide a much more variable amount of torque based on the inputs from the pedal.
Look at the spin-crazy RX8. Yeah, so you can spin it to past 9 grand, but it is a fruitless endevour if your at 45mph on top gear. You can mash the throttle to the floor and the engine speed won't change much because it doesn't have the torque to make it happen.
You really owe it to yourself to go out and test drive a new VW TDI. I think you will be really quite surprised.
I think the GTD is not intended to be a "better GTI" though. If your goal is pure all-out power, then diesels are generally not going to do it for you. What the GTD is for is for people that want 80-90% of the GTI "experience" while getting substantially better fuel mileage.
Posted by 3chord | March 30, 2009 7:40 AM
Posted on March 30, 2009 07:40
Wake me up when something exciting happens. Zzzzzz
Posted by sparky | March 30, 2009 2:45 PM
Posted on March 30, 2009 14:45
I just test drove the new Jetta TDI and was very impressed with the pickup and very quiet sounds of the engine. A little more vibration than I would have liked but overall a very nice drive. I don't know any other vehicle that can get 1100kms on a tank.
Just my $0.02 of course.
Posted by ScottMac | April 3, 2009 9:35 AM
Posted on April 3, 2009 09:35
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Posted by Leonido | November 20, 2010 12:03 AM
Posted on November 20, 2010 00:03