Volkswagen Brings Golf GTD To America

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

VW will reward the manual-diesel-wagon brigade with not one but two products set to satiate your Euro lust. In addition to the next generation Golf Variant (aka the Jetta SportWagen), Volkswagen confirmed that the next-gen Golf GTD will make it to our shores as well.

The new GTD is a bit down on horsepower compared to the GTI – 182 horsepower versus 220 – but crushes the 2.0T car with its 280 lb-ft of torque. Powertrains aside, the GTD should have a chassis more closely set up to GTI standards rather than the civilian-spec Golf TDI. The only downside will be the wait – the North American GTD won’t be available until model year 2015, which means a minimum wait of a year before it goes on sale.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Niky Niky on Mar 05, 2013

    Peak figures never really tell the whole story. But if the GTD's weight penalty is small, then it should have much better roll-on performance than the turbo-gasser. Even better, since the GTI is already direct-injection and turbocharged, the price premium should either be little or nil.

  • Nathanswallow Nathanswallow on Mar 06, 2013

    I'm in love. This is THE car I will buy. The only thing that could make it better is if it had quatro all wheel drive but I don't HAVE to have that I suppose. Derek Kreindler, would you please site your source if possible?

  • Jim K Jim K on Mar 06, 2013

    Have the issues been worked out with the DSG transmissions yet? I would love to buy a diesel or a GTI, but can no longer drive a manual due to knee issues, and I have always been concerned about the long term reliability of the DSG transmissions. I've driven one several times and they drive great when new.

  • Internet Tourettes Internet Tourettes on Mar 07, 2013

    Just for fun I went to VW.com and tried to find a 2 or 4 door TDI golf and there we none in the US or in transit. Is the GTD just another way to raise the revenue per unit sold?

    • DirtMcGirt9484 DirtMcGirt9484 on Mar 20, 2013

      I'm a VW sales guy, and there are plenty of Golf TDI's(both 2 and 4 door) in the US. The VW website is weird that way. It always says there aren't any cars like the ones you build. I have about 8 on my lot right now.

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