The GTD represents the most powerful diesel version of the Golf and now it has reached the UK market where it is available at a starting price of 25,285 pounds, which makes it 310 pounds more expensive than the previous Golf VI GTD. At its heart is a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter common-rail transversely-mounted diesel engine rated at 181 bhp (135 kW) reached at 3,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) available between 1,750 rpm and 3,250 rpm. It comes mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission but Volkswagen is also offering an optional dual-clutch, 6-speed DSG if you are willing to pay 26,700 pounds.
When equipped with the manual gearbox, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf VII GTD needs only 7.5 seconds from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) and it will keep on accelerating until it reaches a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h). As a reminder, its predecessor performed the 0-62 mph run in 8.1 seconds and had a top speed of 138 mph (222 km/h).
Since we are talking about a diesel-powered car, the new Golf GTD can return 67.3 mpg UK (56 mpg US or 4.1 liters / 100 km) with CO2 emissions standing at 109 g/km. It’s more frugal and eco-friendlier than the Golf VI GTD which returned 53.3 mpg UK (44.3 mpg US or 5.2 liters / 100 km) and had 139 g/km CO2 emissions.
As standard, the 2013 Golf VII GTD is equipped with bi-xenon headlights, LED rear lights, LED license plate illumination, LED daytime running lights, sports suspension, roof spoiler, more aggressive side skirts, rear diffuser, chrome dual exhaust and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in 225/40 rubbers.
Moving inside the cabin, the Golf GTD has a sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, Jacara Grey sports seats, black roof lining and GTD-specific trim strips, instrument cluster and gear lever. Other amenities include an infotainment system with a touchscreen display and DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, as well as dual zone climate control and white ambience lightning.
As far as optional goodies are concerned, Volkswagen mentions in the official press release that the 2013 Golf VII GTD can be had with 19-inch rims, Vienna leather upholstery, keyless entry, rear view camera, park assist, lane assist, high beam assist, touchscreen sat-nav system, adaptive chassis control and an 8-speaker Dynaudio sound system featuring a 10-channel amplifier.
It is important to add that the two prices mentioned at the beginning of the article relate to the three-door Volkswagen Golf VII GTD. The five-door model starts from 25,940 pounds for the version equipped with the manual gearbox and increases to 27,355 pounds if you want the engine to be linked to the aforementioned DSG.
Source: Volkswagen
