GTD’s hole-in-one
THE arrival of any new Volkswagen Golf is always something that makes the motoring headlines.
It is the car that so many other models and manufacturers are compared with.
Quite right too, because the VW Golf hasn’t achieved iconic status by some sort of fluke.
It does nothing badly, nearly everything extremely well and some things superbly. The range offers something for everyone.
It doesn’t matter whether you want outstanding economy in the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid or shattering performance in the Golf GTI and Golf R, there will be a car in the Volkswagen Golf range that suits your needs. However, the model that offers the best of all worlds is the Golf GTD.
Power comes from a 2.0 litre 182bhp turbocharged diesel engine which provides the ultimate combination of performance and economy.
Make full use of the power and you will achieve a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds (7.4 if you opt for the slick DSG auto box) and a top speed of 144mph.
However, resist the temptation to hurtle towards the horizon and you will manage around 61mpg. The engine is an absolute peach with loads of low-end grunt.
Leave the GTD in top gear at 30mph, ease down the throttle and the car picks up speed instantly.
Normally I’d prefer a manual gearbox for a car like this but, to be honest, the DSG auto is really good. It’s up to you whether you feel adding an extra £1400 to the £27,065 bill is worth it for the auto. (The 5-door model starts at £27,720)
As with the previous GTD / GTi models, you get oodles of grip. Chuck the car into a corner and your courage will run out long before the car’s ability to hang on does.
Where the Volkswagen Golf GTD really scores is in the areas which you only appreciate after living with the car. There’s decent boot space, plenty of room in the back, comfortable but supportive seats, and good levels of standard kit including sat nav, air con, DAB radio, Bluetooth and masses of safety gear.
It’ll pootle down to the shops or on the school run, or whisk around the Gateshead Western Bypass.
In many ways, the GTD is the ultimate Volkswagen Golf. It is almost as quick as the GTi but it is cheaper and much more economical.
One thing is for certain with the Volkswagen Golf GTD, you are getting one of the best hot hatches available. The legend lives on.