The Designs Of The Front Bumper
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 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 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.
First, the tried-and-true VW hot-hatch, the Golf GTI鈥攏ow in its 6th generation. It is more entertaining than ever, thanks to a firmly sprung but well-damped suspension and a gem of an engine: VW's direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, which sends 200 bhp to the front wheels in silky smooth fashion. Problem is, which GTI to get? The 3-door or the 5-door? Although you might not expect this, both have the same 101.5-in. wheelbase, and both are about 165 in. 1100 option. This transmission has both automatic and manual modes, the latter employing shift paddles that invoke super-quick upshifts and beautifully rev-matched downshifts. In the slalom, the 5-door GTI proved quicker, weaving through our cones at 67.1 mph and with a bit better balance than the 3-door car, at 66.2 mph. This may be related to its lighter weight (fewer options means it tips the scales 85 lb. 17-in. 225-width all-season Continentals felt like they had better limit behavior than the 3-door's more aggressive 18-in. Pirellis.
On the inside, both GTIs are handsomely styled and fitted with high-quality materials and a meaty-rimmed steering wheel. Members Only jacket your wife made you throw away just last year. Also on a positive side, there's room for tall drivers in each GTI, and although the back seats of each are equally spacious, access to the bench is obviously aided by the extra doors. So, 3-door or 5-door? Tradition says go with the 3-door, but it also tells us that GTIs have always been about affordable fun, for the enthusiast who might still be paying off some student loans. On the other hand, the 5-door is kind to any folks you might need to schlep around, and it doesn't seem to detract from the sporting experience. And as for DSG, it really is the best of both worlds, a mistake-free automatic that can shift quicker than humanly possible, but lacks the driver engagement of the standard light-action 6-speed manual.
23,290 base price. And don't forget the plaid seats! Looking for a little more efficiency than in the GTI, and are willing to give up only a little bit of fun in exchange? Then check out the Golf TDI. The Golf TDI has softer suspension damping giving it a supple ride. On performance, the TDI is a few ticks slower than the GTI in acceleration, and in our handling tests. More important, in its stay here at Road & Track, the Golf TDI fitted with the standard 6-speed manual transmission averaged a laudable 38.9 mpg. That's a big advantage over the GTI's EPA rating of 24 City and 32 Highway mpg. And further, unlike the new larger diesels in the U.S., the 140-bhp TDI powerplant鈥攖he same sohc 16-valve turbodiesel in our long-term Jetta鈥攄oesn't need urea injection to meet 50-state emissions requirements. 1000 if you order the 6-speed DSG transmission. Nevertheless, the new Golf TDI, with its independent rear suspension, efficient TDI powerplant, excellent practicality, abundant safety features (it has six standard airbags) and lively road manners, certainly makes an intriguing argument against a hybrid. But is good enough to overtake the GTI? For pure sporting intentions, the GTI hot-hatch is the clear winner here, far more fun to toss around. Although with its torque advantage the TDI has a great initial pick-up off the line, the turbo 2.0-liter gas engine in the GTI produces better horsepower than the lower-revving diesel. Here's what we'd like: the TDI powertrain in the sporty GTI chassis.
