GTI gets diesel double

Looking for GTI performance and dynamics in a diesel package? That's what Volkswagen says it's about to deliver with the new Golf GTD, launched today (March 28) at the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig, Germany.

Following in the wheeltracks of the original 1982 GTD (dubbed the "GTI among diesels") and the more recent turbodiesel version of the Golf 5 GT (more here), the new Golf 6 GTD features the first use of the new 125kW common-rail turbodiesel in a Golf.

Boasting 350Nm between 1750-2500 rpm and fuel figures of just 5.3L/100km for the six-speed manual version, Volkswagen says the new GTD "shows a clear affinity to the new GTI". Unveiled first in concept form at the Paris show last year and launched this week in Europe (more here), the new GTI will hit the market in April -- a month ahead of its diesel double.

In terms of styling, the diesel takes its cues almost directly from the turbo petrol hatch. The GTD picks up the new front end of the hot hatch, substituting the trademark redlined GTI grille for a chrome-stripped version. At the rear there's a less aggressive diffuser and paired twin pipes but the GTI's big hatch-top spoiler remains.

Inside the GTD also echoes the GTI -- right down to the chunky flat bottomed wheel and tartan-trimmed part leather sports seats. The colour scheme is different, however… Like the exterior, red highlights are substituted for light grey, while the tartan is mono-colour schema.

Performance is not quite the match for the GTI -- at least when it comes to standing start times. With a top speed of 222km/h, the six-speed DSG-equipped GTD takes 8.1sec to accelerate from 0-100km/h (GTI quotes 6.9sec and 240km/h top speed). You'll go a lot further between fills, however -- VW claims a range of around 1000km -- and with that prodigious torque on hand in-gear performance should be impressive.

Chassis tune is almost identical to the GTI (last year's diesel GT used the same settings as the Mk5 GTI), although until late in 2009, the GTI's XDS brake differential system will not be fitted to the GTD. Insiders say there are no technical reasons for the hold up but calibration will take longer.

Standard wheels on the GTD are 17-inch -- the same as the petrol turbo four. Expect 18s, Dynamic Chassis Control, and other GTI-derived goodies to be optional.

Volkswagen even claims to be using similar aural tuning tricks as the GTI to deliver a sport soundtrack to the GTD.  An "electromagnetic sound generator" which a "outputs a sonorous tone" is used at low revs.

The company says the sound generator "evaluates engine speed, momentary power demand and vehicle speed data" and "tunes the engine sound that can be heard in the interior". As diesel fans, we're interested to hear the Wolfsburg boffins' handywork.

According to VW "advanced sales" of the GTD begin in German in May. Until less than six months ago, the GTD was likely to have been launched as effectively a GTI-D. Volkswagen head office staffers say in the end, the decision was made to save the GTI badge for purely petrol product.

The strength of the connection between the two models is evidenced by the GTD badges, if nothing else. Note the badge pictured uses exactly the same font as the iconic GTI.

In Europe for the international launch of the GTI, Volkswagen Australia's General Manager Press and PR Karl Gehling says the GTD is "under consideration" for local introduction, but not yet a certainty.

"The turbodiesel version of the Golf 5 GT was well received in Australia," Gehling commented.

"The GTD would be an excellent addition to the local Golf line-up, but at this stage no final decision has been made," he stated.