Volkswagen Group Australia has boosted the Golf lineup with the addition of the GTD – a sporty diesel that is the most powerful diesel Golf model.

Priced at $39,290 (six-speed manual) and $41,790 (six-speed DSG automatic), the GTD closely aligns the pricing of the petrol-engined GTI. 

While the GTI delivers 155kW/280Nm from its turbocharged four-cylinder, the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel GTD is good for 125kW/350Nm. The engine is a 16-valve common rail turbo-diesel which returns fuel consumption of 5.5l/100kms and exhaust emissions of 145g/km.

The GTD accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds and with its 55-litre fuel tank, Volkswagen claims a range of 1,000 kms can be extracted between refills.

Externally, the Golf GTD is virtually identical to the GTI – except for some chrome on the grille, twin chrome-tipped exhaust tailpipes and smoked-look taillights. The GTD’s chassis runs a ride height lowered by 15mm compared to standard Golfs and sits on 17-inch alloy wheels.

Similar story inside with the GTD scoring the same sports seats as the GTI, except the diesel version is more subtle - trimmed in black with light grey diamond stripes. Leather is a $3,000 option. 

Equipment levels are typically Volkswagen with the latest RCD 510 audio system and extensive safety items including seven airbags (a kneebag for the driver is standard) and Electronic Stability Program. Volkswagen’s excellent Adaptive Chassis Control with three driver-select chassis settings is a $1,500 option.

Also on the options list ($1,400) is Park Assist which automatically does reverse parallel parking maneuvers.

Car Showroom has driven the GTD on the roads around Volkswagen’s head office in Wolfsburg, Germany and enjoyed its excellent responsiveness and ‘GTI-like’ driving dynamics. We will be interested to test the newcomer in local conditions.