Golf R and Golf GTD joins swift Volkswagen Family

Volkswagen South Africa have just unveiled the all-new diesel VW Golf GTD and the halo R model to the local market. We ventured out for a short, but very rewarding drive around Cape Town, and were blown away by what we experienced.

A diesel GTI?

VW will tell you off very quickly if you call this a GTI. Even though it looks like one and barks like one, it’s not. It’s a performance Golf with a torquey diesel engine - 350Nm to be exact. Couple that with130kW and you get a worthy contender for the GTI-crown. Current GTI-owners needn’t worry too much though, as the petrol derivative still clocks in at a healthy 169kW and is still going to have the upper hand over the diesel, for now.

Even though the GTD has rather flat performance curve, the full power of the engine is available from very low down in the range. This means that the GTD pulls like a steam train.

The GTD makes for an exceptional and economical drive. During normal city driving you can expect consumption figures that hover around 5.3l / 100km, which can actually be lower if you don’t pin it into every corner to make use of the XDS torque vectoring system.

The silky-smooth turbo-diesel engine is coupled to a six-speed DSG gearbox that shifts effortlessly during your drive. You also have the options of shifting manually with the paddle shift on the steering wheel, but the DSG-box is capable of doing a better job on its own. VW SA claims the GTD will do the 0 - 100 sprint in 7.4 seconds and will be limited to 230km/h.

Halo with wings

After spending a few hours with the GTD, and being suitably impressed with the performance and handling, we stepped into Volkswagen’s ‘halo’ model. The R represents the very pinnacle of the Golf brand, and as such, it did exactly what the label said.  Leaving the Clubsport out of the equation, I can honestly say this is probably the best Golf I’ve driven. Rocketing off the line and getting to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, the R will hit a limited top speed of 250km/h.

The 4Motion AWD system ensures that the R was never out of shape in the corners, and provided an unparalleled handling experience along the twisty coastal road. The R also has a DSG gearbox but unlike the GTI and GTD, it has an extra gear (totaling seven) and sports 213kW and 380Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Golf available. (http://www.vw.co.za/en/models/new-golf-7.html)

Pub talk

The Golf brand is strong in South Africa for a reason. Without fail, the braai-side comparisons are always made, performance figures are thrown around, and it eventually turns into and argument about what’s faster. So here it is, according to Volkswagen themselves:

Volkswagen Golf GTD

kW                    130         

Nm                    350

l/100                 5.3

0-100               7.9

Top Speed      230

Volkswagen Golf GTI

kW                      169

Nm                      350

l/100                   6.4

0-100                 6.4

Top Speed       248

Volkswagen Golf R

kW                      213

Nm                      380

l/100                   6.9

0-100                 4.6

Top Speed        250

Volkswagen Golf Clubsport

 kW                   213 (in overboost)

Nm                    350

l/100                 6.4

0-100               5.9

Top Speed      250

 

 Verdict

The fans of the Golf brand fervently support it here in SA. Even though GTI has reigned supreme for years, I think the addition of the GTD now gives those who love the GTI-styling and performance a place to go when they are looking to step into something just a little bit more responsible. If you buy the diesel, you’re making the wise adult choice: sporty hot-hatch looks with an economical powertrain. The GTD offers an excellent package at a keen price, but just watch that options list.

Price

Volkswagen Golf GTD  -  R 506 700

Volkswagen Golf GTI    -  R545 800

Volkswagen Golf R        -  R647 300

5 Year / 90 000 Service plan

3 Year / 120 000 Warranty