The New VW Golf GTD – All Hype?

By Chad Lückhoff 

The question that has been passed around for the last few months is whether the new Volkswagen GTD is worthy of the 'GT' moniker. It's something that has been synonymous with Volkswagen's performance offerings and if the the marketing is to be believed, the GTD is exactly that, a performance hot-hatch from the German car company, propelled by a diesel engine.

I have no problem with that, in fact, I've largely changed my stance on diesel motoring, thanks to the advances in technology over the last few years. Quieter running, improved emissions (no, don't you dare go where I think you're going) and reduced vibrations all make diesel power plants more acceptable - in my eyes, at least. But none of this helps me shake the feeling that the new Golf GTD is the non-alcoholic beer of the hot-hatch world. It looks like beer, smells like beer, tastes like beer, but it just doesn't have the same effect.

Diesel Potential

Figuring out why VW would choose to introduce the GTD to our market isn't hard at all. When the 9N Polo TDI hit our shores, it wasn't long before performance enthusiasts figured out that with some simple software tweaks, the 1.9-liter turbodiesel engine could produce silly amounts of torque. It was the cost-effective solution to the Polo GTI  and they sold like proverbial hotcakes. It makes sense then, that VW would think that a diesel Golf, with all the GTI trimmings, but with the frugality of an oil burner engine, would perform equally well.

Looks Like a GTI

The GTD shares much of the GTI's character with aggressive GTI-like bumper designs, taillight treatment and headlights, albeit without the signature red GTI detailing. It even proudly wears a GTD emblem on the honeycomb grille. The wheels are a set of 18-inch Sevillas and at a quick glance, the GTD is easily mistaken for a GTI.

Priced Like a GTI

Even the price is similar. While a little cheaper than the GTI – by a mere R39 000 – it's still over the half-a-million Rand mark, coming in at R506 900. This is still a lot of money for a diesel hatchback.

Trimmed Like a GTI

You do however get almost all the creature comforts that you would get in a GTI, in the GTD. This means that the revised interior of the Golf 7.5 (or facelift) is standard fare in the GTD. The intuitive, gesture-controlled 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment (optional) is bundled with Apple CarPlay and rests just above the dual-zone climate control. In front of you sits the 12-inch screen for the Active Info Display that replaces the analogue gauge cluster and allows a flexible layout of gauges and information, including the navigation map.

The Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert helps keep you safe while the Adaptive Cruise Control allows for a more relaxed driving experience on the highways and byways. Naturally, there's the usual array of 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, TCS and VW's XDS electronic differential lock for improved cornering stability and handling prowess.

Interior trim is similar as well, with the same leather-bound steering wheel treatment, supportive bucket seats and chrome switch trimmings.

The Go of a GTI?

So we've determined that the trim level is similar, but what about the power? After all, that's why we're interested in the GTD and not just some run-of-the-mill 81kW TDI Comfortline.

Under the hood is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine that makes an admittedly impressive 130kW with a hearty 350Nm of torque. That's the same amount of torque as the GTI, but it's 39kW shy of the GTI's 169kW and the torque in the GTD is only present from 1500rpm through 3500rpm, where the GTI's torque band spans from 1500rpm all the way to a more usable 4600rpm.

The limited torque output is no doubt as a result of the 6-speed DSG gearbox that is coupled to this engine. I don't doubt that with 130kW available that the torque output could be considerably higher, but VW is erring on the conservative side, lest the GTD start developing a desire to consume its own cogs.

But...

While the numbers may seem impressive on the screen, in the real world you are left wondering whether some of the ponies are distracted by pretty butterflies. The throttle responds in a timeframe that is best measured by a kitchen wall clock, and when it eventually decides to comply, it shoves you into the depths of trouble and has you climbing on the brakes again to avoid the car in front of you, so much so that the GTD actually became somewhat of a nuisance in traffic.

“But the GTD is about fuel economy...” I hear you say. Ok, let's take a look at that then. VW claims figures of 5l/100km on both the open road and combined cycle while the GTI presents 5.4l/100km and 6.4l/100km respectively. I'm sorry, but that's not a saving, especially when you will only return high 7s and struggle to hit anything that resembles a 5, unless you’re intent on doing 80, on a downhill, on the freeway.

So...

VW is pitching the GTD as the frugal alternative with the performance to match. In short, I'm not sold on the concept. I think VW have missed the mark with the GTD and I really can't see it being on the market locally for too long. Perhaps the tuner crowd will find a way to liven up the drive, without destroying the gearbox. I think I may have changed my mind about diesels a fraction too soon... Could the price tag be a factor?