Volkswagen Golf VII GTD revealed ahead of Geneva arrival

Wolfsburg, Germany -  Over the past three decades, fans of the Golf GTD have been excited by the car’s combination of fuel efficiency and sporty performance and looks. At this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, Volkswagen debuts the latest version of this fuel-sipping sporty compact, which features a 184-hp version of the new EA288 TDI turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder diesel engine that already complies with the challenging EU-6 emissions standard. 

The first Golf GTD in 1982 revolutionized the sporty compact segment with its turbodiesel engine, sporty demeanor, and its GTI-style features. This year’s GTD is the most powerful ever and is based on the seventh-generation Golf. 

With184 horsepower and an impressive 280 pound-feet of torque that’s delivered from just 1750 rpm, the new Golf GTD combines the dual roles of highly efficient long-distance tourer and dynamic backroad performer. When equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, the GTD has an EC combined fuel economy figure of 56 mpg, some feat considering the car can also reach a top speed of 143 mph. This combined fuel consumption figure equates to CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km. With the optional six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the combined fuel consumption is 50 mpg. 

Visually, the Golf GTD makes a statement through smoked LED taillights with LED licence-plate illumination; chrome dual tailpipes;17-inch GTD wheels with 225/45 tires; a lowered sport suspension; and body enhancements that include side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a large roof spoiler. 

The interior is also marked out by numerous distinctive GTD features, such as sport seats with a tartan pattern (“Clark”), black headliner, a sport steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals and foot rest, a GTD shifter grip, and a model-specific instrument cluster. Standard features include white ambience lighting, “Climatronic” automatic climate control, park assist, and Volkswagen’s latest touchscreen infotainment system. 

The GTD will be offered in three colors: “Tornado Red”, “Black”, and “Pure White”. The car goes on sale in Germany in June with a base price of 29,350 euros. 

Overview
Market launch in Europe: June 2013
Debut of first Golf GTD generation: 1982
Engine: Four-cylinder TDI (turbocharged direct-injection diesel) 
Layout: Front transverse 
Displacement: 1968 cc 
Bore x stroke: 81.0 x 95.5 mm
Compression ratio: 15.8:1
Power: 184 hp (135 kW) at 3500-4000 rpm
Torque: 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) at 1750 rpm
Transmission/drive type: Manual six-speed; 
DSG six-speed dual-clutch automatic; front-wheel drive.
EC combined fuel consumption/CO2 emissions (manual): 56 mpg; 109 g/km CO2
Performance (manual): 0-62 mph in 7.5 sec; Max speed; 143 mph
Unladen weight: 3036 pounds (base version)
(* preliminary data)