Do you love the performance of the Volkswagen GTI, but long for the fuel efficiency of the Golf TDI? Would you shop a car that gives you the GTI’s nimble handling, while serving up fuel economy of up to 56 mpg combined in Euro-cycle testing? If you answered yes to these questions, we have good news (of sorts) for you: Volkswagen will debut the new Golf GTD at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show.
Popular in Europe, the Golf GTD is the offspring of a GTI and a Golf TDI. Its 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine produces 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which is good enough to get the car from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 143 mph. That’s on par with the gasoline-powered GTI, which makes 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque to yield a a comparable 7.3 second run from 0-60 mph.
Volkswagen Golf GTD – image: Volkswagen
Its fuel economy, however, is closer to the Golf TDI’s numbers of 34 mpg combined (30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway). Since Euro cycle testing differs dramatically from our own EPA testing regimen, we can expect to see the GTD get a combined rating in the neighborhood of 39 mpg, if it’s sold here.
Volkswagen Golf GTD – image: Volkswagen
The GTD borrows from the GTI’s good looks, too. Outside, it wears a lowered suspension with unique 17-inch wheels, side skirts, a rear spoiler and smoked LED taillights. Inside, it gets “Clark” plaid upholstery, a model specific instrument cluster, a black headliner, stainless steel pedals and a sport steering wheel (shared with the GTI) that we think is the best on the market, bar none.
For now, the GTD is forbidden fruit, available to customers across the pond only, beginning in June. Will we see it on this side of the Atlantic? The answer, for now anyway, is “we certainly hope so.”
