2009 Volkswagen Golf GTD

Those bemoaning the lack of a performance diesel in the new Golf VI range need bemoan no longer. Volkswagen has just released details of the new Golf GTD. Powered by a 125kW common-rail diesel the GTD is good for a 8.1 second 0-100km/h sprint and has a top speed of 222km/h.

The official fuel consumption figure is just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres and the car emits just 139g of CO2 per kilometre. Turbo diesel power means it is the in gear acceleration provided by the 350Nm of torque on offer that make car’s like this a hoot to drive.

Similar to the GTI, there may be some disappointment that the performance numbers aren’t up on the old model, the GT Sport (tested by AUSmotive in May 2008).

Save the red pinstripe of the GTI, the performance diesel shares the front bumper and grille treatment from its hot-hatch sibling. The GTD is fitted with 17 inch Seattle alloys and is available with a 6 speed transmission in either manual or DSG specification. Like the GTI it has tartan inspired cloth covered seats and a flat bottomed three spoke steering wheel.

The Golf GTD will have its first public appearance at the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig on 5 April. No word on Australian availability from VW Australia just yet, but expect first or second quarter of 2010.

Press releases from Volkswagen International and Volkswagen UK, along with more wallaper sized images, can be viewed after the jump.

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.

VOLKSWAGEN OFFERS PERFORMANCE WITH ECONOMY IN NEW GOLF GTD

As the new GTI hits the road for the first time its sister car has been unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show: the new diesel-powered Golf GTD.

The ability to accelerate to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 136 mph are combined with average fuel consumption of 53.3 mpg and a range in excess of 650 miles on a single tank of fuel to create a hot hatch of the moment.

Lessons learned through the creation of the sixth generation GTI are applied to the new GTD. Sharp responses and an agile chassis complement the car’s substantial torque which is available from as low as 1,750 rpm.

Powering the new GTD is a refined 2.0-litre (1,968 cc) common rail TDI engine, producing 170 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque. Driving through a six-speed manual or automatic DSG gearbox, this translates to effortless performance with CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km.

Maintaining the sharp responses expected of the GTD is suspension lowered by 15 mm when compared to the standard Golf. In addition, Volkswagen’s innovative Adaptive Chassis Control system (ACC), featuring pneumatically controlled damper units, can be specified on the GTD. This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey.

The Golf GTD’s appearance will differ significantly from that of the standard Golf’s. It gains the GTI’s honeycomb grille, badge-style and front-end design, though with the addition of chrome rather than red highlights. At the back, full body-coloured bumpers make the GTD appear lower and wider than it really is, while the Golf’s standard wheels are replaced with unique 17-inch ‘Seattle Black’ alloys. Inside, the main contact points are unique to the Golf GTD – a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a GTD gearshift and a standard tartan interior. The tartan finish is subtly different from that in the GTI, being grey, white and black, rather than red, white and black.

As with the entire Golf range, the new GTD will feature class-leading levels of safety with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag, all standard. The Golf was recently awarded a maximum five-star rating by the EuroNCAP crash testing agency.

UK buyers will be able to order a Golf GTD from the end of April. Prices are yet to be confirmed but will start at under £22,000. The car will go on sale on 22 June – exactly one month after the first GTIs hit UK roads. For more information please visit your Volkswagen Retailer, go to www.volkswagen.co.uk or call 0800 333 666.