Road test report ----------- November 2009 ------- by Kevin Fenix.

Volkswagen Golf GTD

A long, long time ago, in my teenage years, I was fascinated with ships and I remember reading in Navy magazine about a new light weight high speed diesel engine, that had been specially developed for high speed patrol boats and submarines. My ambition was to design and develop a light weight, high speed diesel engine, for use in sports cars. Sadly I never achieved that ambition, but Volkswagen have obliged with this diesel powered Golf GTD. I am delighted. Now all they need to do is to fit the diesel into a two seater roadster ! It already delivers a very sports oriented 63.516 kW/lt, while the power to weight ratio of the GTD is an equally sports oriented 10.623 kg/kW. In a lighter weight, open two seater, it would be even better. Top speed in this GTD is already a more than satisfactory 222 kph (137 mph) and while this may not improve in a roadster, the 0-100 kph acceleration time of 8.1 seconds, would probably be even more impressive in the lighter bodied roadster. To put all this into perspective, the performance of this diesel powered, five door hatchback, is already better on all counts, than that of the world’s best loved roadster, the Mazda MX5, fitted with a 1.8 litre petrol engine !
Over the past three years or so, I have driven a number of different Golfs, petrol powered and diesel powered, with manual transmissions and with the superb DSG twin clutch manual/automatic transmission. Although each was different in one way or another, they all had one thing in common, each offered : Superb driving pleasure. This Golf is no different, it too is an absolute pleasure to drive.

Being a GT, performance is obviously very high on the list of priorities. While top speed tends to be irrelevant, as apart from a private road or race track, there is nowhere that you can legally enjoy it to the full. Acceleration on the other hand is an entirely different matter. You can use and enjoy it constantly, both out on the open road, or in crawling city traffic. This well equipped family hatchback, can still offer its driver, the exhilaration of a 0-100 kph in 8.1 seconds. While there are certainly a lot of cars on our roads today, that can better that, most are a whole lot more expensive and a whole lot heavier in their thirst for fuel. As a result their exhaust emissions are higher and so too is their annual road tax.
Talking of fuel consumption the Golf GTD is credited with 40 mpg (7.0 lt/100 km) on the urban cycle, 65 mpg (4.3 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle, giving an excellent average of 53 mpg (5.3 lt/100 km) on the combined cycle. Exhaust emissions of 139 gm/km, put it into Irish tax band B, with an annual burden, at current rates, of 156 euro.

The interior is beautifully laid out for driving comfort and convenience. The thick rimmed, leather covered steering wheel, has a superb, high quality feel. It is reach and height adjustable. The instruments are well laid out and easy to see. The large tachometer dial on the left, also houses a smaller gauge showing the engine temperature, while the matching speedometer on the right, has a matching small fuel level gauge. Between the two, there is a large, clear, easy to read, rectangular digital information panel. The audio equipment is at the top of the centre console, just below the two air vents, while the air-conditioning controls are below that. Window controls and adjustments for the electrically operated, exterior rear view mirrors are located in the driver’s door armrest.

Both front and rear seat occupants are accommodated, in comfortable, well bolstered, attractively upholstered seats. The rear bench seat is divided 60/40 in its backrest and has a large folding, centre armrest. While it is most comfortable for just two adults, it will accommodate a third if the occasion demands. A third passenger in the centre, sits higher and as in most cars today, a third passenger reduces the shoulder room for all rear seat passengers. Behind the folding armrest, there is a ski hatch opening into the boot, so longish items like fishing rods, skis or similar items can be carried as well as two adult passengers, one on either side. If children are your passengers, the two outer seating positions are equipped with ISOfix fittings for child safety seats. Adjustable head restraints and three point lap and shoulder seat belts are provided for three rear seat passengers. The two front seats are reach and height adjustable, with adjustable backrests. Comfort is one of the hallmarks of this superb car.
While its performance credentials are impeccable, it is also a five door family hatchback, so it needs to offer a whole lot more than sheer performance and driving pleasure. Fortunately it is also well equipped for its role as a practical, versatile, family car. When all five seats are in use, it still offers 0.350 cubic metres of luggage space below the removable rear parcels shelf. This may be expanded to 1.305 cubic metres when only the two front seats are required. To get this additional space, you simply drop the rear seat backrest onto the seat cushions. If that is not sufficient for your requirements, then you can tow a trailer. The GTD will accept unbraked trailers of up to 700 kg, or braked trailers/caravans of up to 1500 kg. If you need all five seats and additional luggage space, then you may have to consider a roofbox. The car will take up to 100 kg on the roof. That weight includes the weight of the box itself and the necessary cross bars and roof attachments. The only real downside to towing a trailer, is that the car comes with a spacesaver spare wheel, which is not really suited to the additional weights imposed by a large trailer/caravan. At least it is better than one of those puncture repair kits and no spare wheel at all.

Above : Normal luggage space
Below left : Maximum luggage space ---- Below right : Spacesaver spare wheel and tools.

The steering is geared to give a comfort orientated three turns from lock to lock, yet it always feels nicely positive and direct. The car handles and manoeuvres easily in tight spaces, while out on the open road it has the confidence inspiring performance of a pure thoroughbred. It manages all this with a smooth and comfortable suspension as well. The brakes likewise have a smooth and progressive response, making the car easy to drive in traffic, yet thoroughly confidence inspiring when you need full braking power at higher speeds. The system uses large 313 mm ventilated discs at the front, with 254 mm plain discs at the rear. Besides all the normal functions like anti-lock, electronic force distribution and emergency brake assist, the system includes an electronic stability programme with traction control and an electronic differential lock.

Like all Volkswagen’s the Golf GTD comes with a two years unlimited mileage warranty, two years roadside assistance, three year paintwork cover and a twelve years anti-perforation guarantee. Normal servicing is required every 30,000 km (20,000 miles) or two years. Normally an oil change is recommended once a year or 15,000 km (9,000 miles).
Finally to sum it all up, this car is a real pleasure to drive. It has a satisfying and totally effortless performance, only the DSG gearbox, could make it even more effortless. It is also very comfortable to travel in. After 430 km (267 miles) on the trip recorder I still had half a tank of fuel left. According to the on-board computer, in mainly urban and suburban driving I managed 6.7 lt/100 km (42 mpg), which is very satisfactory. My only difficulty is that I had to give it back at the end of the road test programme !

Technical data

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Photo gallery

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