Thanks to AUSmotive reader Ben for sending in these pics of a Tornado Red Golf GTD he first sighted on Sydney’s M4 last night.
Ben’s handiwork confirms first and foremost that eager buyers, and there will be a few, don’t have too long to wait until they can get their hands on what is effectively a diesel powered Golf GTI. Latest speculation from November last year suggested the GTD would be on sale in Australia before the end of 2009. That didn’t ever sound quite right to me. A mid 2010 launch always seemed more likely. It now appears that this will be the case.
The Golf GTD is powered by a 125kW 2.0 TDI engine and its chassis components are pretty much taken straight from Volkswagen’s hot selling all-rounder, the Golf GTI. The GTD’s body kit is also sourced from the GTI, with the only major difference being chrome detail on the front grille, replacing the red of the GTI.
Volkswagen’s diesel hot hatch can reach 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, but its real party trick is its in gear acceleration. Thanks to the 350nM of torque on offer the GTD will have masses of pick up once moving. The torque rating is actually 20Nm more than the soon to be released VW hot hatch hero, the Golf R.
Speaking of the Golf R, AUSmotive understands the Australian launch will take place well before the end of June. Will the GTD be launched around the same time?
UPDATE 9 May: More pics can be seen at the VWwatercooled forum.
9 replies on “Golf GTD spotted in Sydney”
I spoke to a DENLO service manager last week and he seemed to think that June 15 seemed correct for the Golf R so if these are off the boat also we could see a dual launch?
Yes, that Golf R date correlates with what I have heard as well.
I wouldn’t expect a dual launch for these particular cars, but stranger things have happened.
It probably be more like, “HEY! Here’s the Golf R, hooray! oh btw there’s some diesel thing over there in the corner, but look at the R! ooooooooh shiny!”
Nice find!
Polo GTI is what I’m now looking forward to
Expect a dual launch as the two vehicles are aimed at different buyers. The GTD will be a cracker. Though it won’t be near as quick overall the bigger punch in the midrange will be really noticeable in real world driving and it’ll tear up hills better than a V8.
Hmm, interesting. Thanks for that.
Anyone heard any pricing? I’m wondering if Comfortline with sports kit manual vs GTD is worth the saving of $$$ or not.
[…] Golf R the Golf GTD is about to be set free in Australian showrooms (they’ve been here since early May). To help those who are waiting on the “diesel GTI” here’s some pics sourced from […]