It’s been almost three years since I bought my Mk VI Golf TDI, and I still love it dearly. If I could change anything about it though, I would like a touch more performance, and just a bit more space. Well it appears that Volkswagen has heard my cries for such a machine and has introduced the new Golf GTD Variant. On US soil, the Golf Variant wears the badge Jetta Sportwagen, but in truth it is little more than a Golf wagon. The GTD badge signifies a more powerful and sporty version of a diesel. While I despise the comparison, think of GTD as a GTI Diesel.
To create this machine, Volkswagen has taken the Sportwagen TDI and upped the horsepower from 150 to 181 ponies and cranked torque up from 236 pounds to a full 280 pound-feet. From there, a new set of fancy extra parts are added like new bumpers, revised grille, smoked lights, body kit changes, new alloy wheels, back roof rails and dual chrome exhaust tips. All these changes combine to make the GTD look even meaner than sharper than it did before.
But now we get to the bad news. Volkswagen hasn’t even released the GTD version of the standard Golf here in the states; the odds of a Wagon model GTD arriving are essentially none. Still, a man can dream. If you live on the other side of the Atlantic, and you want to park on of these in your driveway, VW says prices start at just under 32k Euros.
You can read Volkswagen’s full press release on the new VW Golf Variant GTD.
Volkswagen Golf Variant GTD Official Press Release
Since 1982 Volkswagen’s GTD logo has stood for Gran Turismo Diesel, with its promise of sporty yet economical motoring. Now for the first time, the GTD initials grace the Golf Variant, which like the Golf GTD, boasts the 184 PS (135 kW) TDI engine. The new Golf GTD Variant is set for its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, and is available to order as of now at a price of 31,975 euros.
The Golf GTD Variant* is excellently placed to establish itself as an iconic long-distance cruiser. The 184 PS TDI engine takes the Golf GTD Variant to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds with the 2-litre unit delivering a maximum torque of 380 Nm – and yet this sporty Variant car boasts impressive fuel consumption figures of only 4.4 litres per 100 km.
The car’s sporty character is reflected in its exterior design: along with special GTD bumpers and the honeycomb radiator grille, the Golf GTD Variant also features smoked rear lights and flared sills. The look is completed by 17-inch Curitiba alloys, black roof rails and dual chrome tailpipes. Also standard on-board the Golf GTD Variant are bi-xenon headlights, sports suspension with ride height lowered by 15 mm, and progressive steering, which gives a sharper response during high-performance driving as well as ensuring greater comfort in ordinary conditions.
Inside, the dynamic theme continues, with sports seats in Clark tartan, illuminated door sills, black headliner and black pillar trims. Added to this, there are numerous decorative inserts and panels in Checkered Black, plus stainless steel pedal caps. Further refinements include the multifunction steering wheel with aluminium trim and the gear knob styled as a golf ball.
The Golf GTD Variant is optionally available with 18-inch Nogaro alloy wheels and seat covers in a choice of Alcantara or Vienna leather. And for an extra 965 euros there is the Sports and Design package featuring driving mode selection, Nogaro 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and tinted windows.
