2009 Volkswagen Golf GTD official details
June 10, 2009 by George Skentzos
Volkswagen has officially revealed the full specifications for its diesel-powered GTI doppelganger which promises both performance and economy in one agile package.
The Golf GTD also marks the arrival of Volkswagen’s highest-performance production Golf with a diesel engine today, carrying on the GTD legacy which begun 27 years ago.
The very first GTD revolutionised the diesel market with its turbocharged engine, paving the way for the breakthrough of the TDI – the direct-injection high-tech diesel of the Volkswagen Group.
This latest generation model boasts an advanced common rail TDI engine which is faster, more economical, cleaner and quieter than ever before.
The 2.0-litre TDI unit develops maximum power of 125kW and peak torque of 350Nm between 1,750 and 2,500rpm – equivalent to a specific torque figure of 177.8Nm per litre of displacement.
Coupled with either the standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed DSG, the Golf GTD completes the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 222km/h (220km/h for the DSG).
Despite its performance, the Golf GTD manages to consume just 5.6 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres on average with CO2 emissions of just 147g/km.
On the outside the Golf GTD is every bit as aggressive as the GTI, micking its petrol powered sibling almost identically but with a few subtle differentiating features.
The horizontal strips in the radiator grille are styled in chrome rather than the GTI’s trademark red, while at the rear twin chrome tailpipes exit on the left side of the diffuser rather than a single tailpipe on either side, as is the case with the GTI.
Inside it’s a similar story, with a full complement of GTI accessories including the black sports seats which are offset by a light gray diamond stripe pattern instead of red.
The flat-bottomed three-spoke sport steering wheel also features the GTD signature on the vertical spoke, while a multifunction wheel is also available which features integrated shift paddles for DSG models.
The comprehensive list of standard equipment on the Golf GTD includes dual-zone climate control system, reading lights in front and rear, multifunctional display “Plus” with trip computer, centre armrests, front and rear, two additional air vents and cup holders in the rear, pass-through cargo capability in the rear bench seat, an additional cargo bin in the trunk area and an RCD 210 radio system.
Standard safety features include ESP (with countersteer assist, braking assistant and trailer stabilization) and seven airbags, including a knee airbag on the driver’s side.
As an option, Volkswagen is offering the same Bi-Xenon headlights on the Golf GTD as on the Golf GTI, including dynamic curve lighting which allows the headlights to swivel through bends.
Another high-end technology of the new Golf GTD is the optional “Park Assist” which can automatically manoeuvre the car into a reverse parallel parking spot in a space just 1.1 metres longer than the car itself.
Print it: 
It doesn’t look as sporty as the GTI- maybe in red it might though.
i would go for this over the GTI because i just like it better. Oh and the torque from that diesel. legendary.
Not bad, its the GTI for the environmentalists.
Like most modern diesel’s it runs on an oily rag and pumps out less CO2 than a grown man’s fart.
So why exactly should I buy a Prius over this?
Very nice machine. For reasons of practicality I would probably go the Skoda RS; I can throw a few push bikes in the back.
They can keep this i reckon. It’ll be more exxy than the GTI, yet offers no advantage over a MkV GT Sport TDI, maybe the chassis is abit stiffer. But the biggest thing for me is that its so boring! Those wheels may look good on a standard Golf but for the sporty model its not good enough! Look at the GTI, it looks reasonably respectable (the wheels are very nice) but this just looks like a standard Golf. So why call it GTD? Why not just Golf GT TDI? I do like the steering wheel though!
Yep give me a Skoda Octavia RS TDI anyday. Especially with the facelift model arriving soon, it already offers significant advantages over any Golf – space/practicality/quality (well its equal)/price/value!
Isn’t this GTD model only very very slightly faster than the best Golf Diesel? I forgot the exact figure, maybe ~ 0.5 sec. No clue about the price difference vs performance ratio between the 2 models. The diesel models have a harsher ride coz of the heavier engine requiring stiffer springs too.
I’m still quite interested in how this goes in real life and if it’s something that people will look at over the Gti. Hopefully this comes to Oz and gets tested and driven on our roads for a full assessment.
This is hardly a performance model. I’m guessing this is going to cost north of $40k when it’s released. A diesel mondeo is only slightly slower (.4 of a second) 0-100, is almost twice the size and cheaper. I wouldn’t give this a second glance.
MKVI GTD replaces MKV GT TDI for those who are confused.
As such, it’s price will be less than the GTI, although you could overlap by ticking options on a GTD that will take its price above a base GTI.
B-Man, base price will be below $40,000 but comparisons are now a bit confusing due to D/A pricing laws now in force.
As for comparing this to a diesel Mondeo, that’s just plain idiotic because they are a different class of car. The Mondeo is a class above in segment, but the VW is many classes above in every other way. Oh, and try and buy a Mondeo diesel auto – ’nuff said.
Reckless, the diesel Mondeo is only available as an auto, and I wouldn’t agree with saying the VW is many classes above it. For its class and intended role the Mondeo is fantastic, in many ways better than its VW equivalent (Passat). However, comparing a small hatch to a large family car is not really fair. The GTD would probably run rings around a Mondeo handling wise, as it should.
Nice concept, but doesn’t quite hit the home run for me. I’d be more inclined to purchase the 118TSI over this. Not even 1l more per 100k in terms of fuel economy, just as fast, and cheaper to fill up given the price of diesel.
i just want that front bumper, steal it from the fti and put it on the normal tsi
Maybe so reckless, but i was just pointing out that for less money, a car that is far bigger and substantialy cheaper AND not marketed as a ’sports’ model has comparable acceleration times.
What are the shortcomings of the Mondeo over the VW equivelant that you speak of? Have you driven a Mondeo recently? I thought not.
Jimmy,
where are you located?
Diesel has been hovering around 1.15 for almost 5 months in Melbourne. Last time I looked PULP which the TSI requires is
around 1.40!!!
In fact Diesel over the last 5 or 6 months has been around 10% cheaper than ULP.
Ford mondeo vs Golf GTD…..????
better compare mondeo with jetta
..
I still go for jetta over mondeo( maybe the built quality)
At least the Mondeo isn’t boring….the same cannot be said for the Jetta, which I cannot see why someone would buy especially with the many better rivals.
As I said before in my last post, this GTD should be a GT TDI! Like the nicer MkV.
I agree ford mondeo v VW golf is crazy in every sense. different class – different buyers, pro’s/cons, styling.
i certainly couldn’t see someone buying the GTD over a GT TDI. i drove both tdi and tsi variants of GT and loved both. tsi is a bit more ‘driveable’ for my wife.
economy? tdi will always win. hwoever i heard someone say diesel will skyrocket in the next couple of years.
end of the day – go find a bargain mark V GT sport (tdi or tsi) and forget this car for a couple of years. i got my 08 GT sport TSI/DSG with 3,500kms on clock for $31k!!!
I’ve got the MkV 2.0TDI and love it. Can’t wait for the GTD!
In regards to fun, even the Pirelli GTI didn’t give you the low-down acceleration of the GT TDI. And with the DSG torque delivery was linear, no lag at all. The new MkVI DSG’s seem to have better programming to so are not as abrupt in their downshift, and take up quicker off the mark.
Mondeo? If you want a medium size wagon then that’s fine. They may cost the same, but I’ll take a hot hatch over any wagon at this stage in life, no matter what the price difference/similarity. The hatch is easy to park, quick through traffic and holds everything I need it to hold.
In regards to the GTI and economy, remeber that most of the figures reported are figures that are not about driving the cars hard. If you’re going to have a GTI you’re not going to nurse it around town for fuel economy. And if you’re driving hard, the fuel economy goes out the window. I drove the Mk V GT TDI as hard as I could and didn’t even get it over 10L/100km average. I took a Pirelli GTI for a short spin and averaged OVER 20L/100km. OUCH!!
A performance diesel is a great idea, as much fun (legally) on the roads as you could imagine, but when driven hard will cost you a hell of a lot less to fuel, and you don’t have to hang out for cheap Tuesdays. Great for weekend getaways and highway cruising to, particularly for overtaking.