Volkswagen Golf GTD 2015 - Crossing Our Fingers...

It’s a simple concept: take a GTI, swap its gasoline engine for a turbocharged TDI, and the Volkswagen Group’s little sports car becomes a long-distance express. This is our first meeting with the Golf lineup’s other sports car that sells twice as many units as the GTI in Europe.
Got your fingers crossed? Let’s hope so, because Volkswagen Canada, together with the brand’s top brass in the U.S., is presently entertaining the idea of bringing this other sporty Golf to Canada – the 2015 model year could arrive in 2014. With performances that are almost equal to those of the GTI and much more reasonable fuel consumption, the GTD is getting high marks in both categories.

Efficient torque

Under the hood, there’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel developing 184 horsepower and 280 lbs-ft of torque. That represents 36 fewer horses, but 22 lbs-ft more torque than the GTI’s gasoline engine, and you feel the difference at the wheel. While the GTI responds immediately at the touch of the accelerator, the GTD gets going with a little less gusto. Check out the numbers: it goes from 0-100 km/hr in 7.5 seconds, a full second more than the GTI. So, its performances are a little less punchy than those of the GTI, but you don’t really feel it on the road since it accelerates with perfect composure and confidence anyway.

• Also: The New GTI Goes Electric

This first encounter with the GTD gave me the chance to drive it with the manual gearbox and with the DSG dual-clutch transmission on the autobahn and on the Bavarian back-roads, never once getting the feeling that I wished that I was driving the GTI instead. At 200 kilometres per hour on the German highways, the GTD remains perfectly stable, even in challenging conditions. The average fuel consumption for both was 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres, which is a remarkable feat considering the performance. Interestingly, the GTD can be delivered with a specially developed Soundaktor system that enhances the TDI’s acoustic presence on demand. Depending on engine speed, the Soundaktor system generates a “comfort” tone in Normal and Eco mode and a more powerful sound in Sport mode.

A programmable ride
The Golf GTD comes with Adaptive Chassis Control that not only helps you choose from comfort, normal and sport modes but modifies shock rate and is also equipped with an electronic differential lock known as XDS+ that uses targeted interventions on the brakes of the interior wheels of both axles to reduce understeer. The result is that the GTD can either attack turns with poise or drive along calmly depending on the mood of the driver. If there’s a complaint, it’s with the GTD’s progressive steering, which, while fast and precise, doesn’t offer as much feedback as we would have liked.

GTI style

Since the GTD uses essentially the same style features as the GTI, it demonstrates a certain understated sportiness, but it stands out just the same thanks to the unique design of its 18-inch alloy rims, the chrome (instead of red) front trim strip, and exclusive GTD insignias. Same goes for the passenger compartment where the GTI’s signature red accents make way for grey, black and white, but all the other features are shared by the two trims. So, you’ll be ensconced in superb, classic plaid sport seats while enjoying brushed stainless steel pedals, a multifunction three-spoke steering wheel and a golf ball-shaped shifter knob in the versions equipped with the manual gearbox. A touchscreen completes the picture of this passenger compartment that demonstrates high quality assembly and enhanced practicality by virtue of its increased legroom for the rear passengers. The GTD was developed on the seventh-generation Golf’s platform.

In conclusion, I would gladly choose the GTD over the GTI for everyday use. Although its performances aren’t quite as good as those of the GTI, the diesel-powered sports car offers a very sharp ride, meticulous style and, above all, improved fuel consumption, which makes it the perfect choice for the performance-enthusiast concerned with the price of gas. It’s not exactly the best of both worlds, but it comes awfully close – and that’s why we’re eagerly awaiting its arrival in Canada.