Volkswagen unveils new Golf GTD

Volkswagen unveils the new Golf GTD at Leipzig

Hot on the heels of the announcement of the new VW Golf GTI comes the Golf GTD, unveiled yesterday in Leipzig.

Essentially, this is a GTI with a diesel engine – no more, no less. Replacing the 2.0 litre petrol in the GTI is another 2.0 litre, but this time a turbo diesel. Offering 168bhp, the Golf GTD manages a creditable 8.0 seconds 0-60mph, 260lb/ft of torque, Co2 emissions of 139g/km and 53.3mpg on the combined cycle, which are all pretty impressive figures.

On the outside, apart from the badges, the only obvious visual clue that this is a GTD and not a GTI are the chrome accents (instead of red). It gets the same nose treatment and other bits, so it’s still a smart looking Golf. The inside still gets ‘Volkswagen Tartan’, but you get a different colour stitching to the GTI. So, basically the same car bar the engine.

But if you do mainly town driving this is the obvious performance Golf to go for. That extra torque makes it much easier to drive in town, and the extra economy makes it a no-brainer. Again, the performance hot hatch for the sensible money.

Sales start in Germany in May, and UK Car Sales will start for June delivery. Prices aren’t firm yet, but VW says they will be ‘under £22k’.