Volkswagen revealed today
at the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig the diesel brother of the
Golf GTI: the GTD Golf, a car that is all about efficiency.
The GTD is powered by a 2,0 liter TDI engine that
delivers 170 hp at 4,200 rpm and a peak torque of 350 NM between 1,750
and 2,500 rpm. It makes the 0 to 62 mph sprint in 8.1 seconds and can
hit a top speed of 137 mph. It has a fuel consumption of only 5.3
liters per 100 km and a CO2 emission of only 139 g/km. The engine comes
standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the optional 6-speed
DSG comes as an option.
On the exterior the GTD comes with bumper, radiator
grille and headlights exactly like in the GTI, while the red horizontal
stripes in the radiator grille are styled in chrome on the GTD. At the
rear, the turbo-diesel sports a modified diffuser. You can recognize
the GTD by the dual chrome tailpipes on the left side of the diffuser.
Press release after the jump.
Press release
After
the Polo, the BlueMotion offensive and the Golf GTI, Volkswagen is
pulling the next arrow out of its quiver: this time it is the Golf GTD.
It is extremely fuel efficient yet exceedingly sporty, and it is
debuting as a world premiere at the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig
(March 28 to April 05). The GTD code letters carry on a tradition: the
first Golf GTD appeared back in 1982 – it was the GTI among diesels.
Now Volkswagen has perfected the various aspects of sportiness. The new
Golf GTD with its 125 kW / 170 PS is aimed at all diesel fans who value
a maximum in dynamic performance.
This is where the GTD shows a clear affinity to the new
GTI (155 kW / 210 PS). While the GTI is in its own league with an
efficient turbo gasoline engine that offers the same performance as far
more expensive sports cars, the Golf GTD is making its appearance with
phenomenal fuel economy. Every 100 kilometers, just 5.3 liters of fuel
flow through the piezo injection valves of the common rail engine that
can hardly be pegged as a diesel. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions
of just 139 g/km. This contrasts with a top speed of 222 km/h and 8.1
seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h.
Range of about 1,000 kilometer
As on the GTI, the GTD’s 6-speed manual transmission
may be swapped out for an optional 6-speed DSG – which in the eyes of
many experts is the most efficient automatic of our times. The Golf GTD
with DSG reaches a top speed of 220 km/h; it accelerates to 100 km/h in
8.1 seconds and consumes 5.6 liters diesel on average (147 g/km CO2).
These low fuel consumption values take both GTD variants to distances
of about 1,000 kilometers on one tank of fuel (55 liters).
The GTD equipped with standard sport chassis and
17-inch alloy wheels (“Seattle” type) bears a close relationship to the
GTI, in its highly agile handling properties as well as in its
parallels in appearance and features.
GTD exterior
The exterior clearly indicates that this is the
sportiest Golf with a diesel engine. Take the front end, for example:
the bumper, radiator grille and headlights are a 1:1 match with the
GTI. However, the red horizontal stripes in the radiator grille are
styled in chrome on the GTD. At the rear, the turbo-diesel sports a
modified diffuser. Even though no GTD emblem comes with the car
purchase, the diesel version of the Golf can be recognized by its dual
chrome tailpipes on the left side of the diffuser (the GTI has one
tailpipe on the left and one on the right).
GTD sound
Sound – sporty sound – has not traditionally been a
particular strength of diesel engines. However, the GTD’s new common
rail engine is different. Since it no longer has a superimposed
“hammering” sound that was previously typical of diesels, engineers
were able to fine tune its acoustics for the first time. This is
accomplished by a special sound generator, which outputs a sonorous
tone, especially in the lower engine speed range. The electromagnetic
sound generator evaluates engine speed, momentary power demand and
vehicle speed data obtained via the car’s CAN bus and tunes the engine
sound that can be heard in the interior.
GTD interior
Volkswagen’s GT philosophy is also reflected in the
interior. It expresses itself in standard high-end sport seats, a
3-spoke leather steering wheel whose curvature flattens at the bottom
(GTD signature in the center chrome badge), leather parking brake lever
and leather gearshift boot with stitching in contrasting color.
However, unlike in the GTI the color is not red but light gray. The
same applies to the sport seats in “Jacky” pattern: The color chosen
for the flat-felled seams are an elegant light gray (“Art Grey”)
instead of red (“Flash Red”). The seats themselves are styled in a
“Black-White” color combination.
GTD safety and convenience
Other standard features of the Golf GTD include details
such as a black roofliner and black roof pillar trim, special interior
accents, seven airbags including knee airbag on the driver’s side,
automatic climate control (“Climatronic”), front fog lights with chrome
framing, daytime running lights, ESP, a winter package (with heated
windshield washer nozzles, heated front seats, headlight cleaning
system and low washer fluid indicator light) and the RCD 210 radio
system. Nonetheless, the most important component of standard GTD
equipment is still the Common Rail TDI with 170 PS being used in the
Golf for the first time.
TDI technology in detail
The 1,968 cm3 displacement engine is from a new TDI
generation. It delivers its maximum power at 4,200 rpm. The engine – as
sporty as it is fuel efficient – develops its 350 Newton-meter maximum
torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Its specific torque is 177.8
Newton-meter per liter engine displacement. The upshot is that in
practically any driving situation, the sixteen-valve four-cylinder
engine offers power equivalent to that of a six-cylinder sports car
engine.
About the technology: Fuel induction is handled by a common rail
system. Fuel injection pressures of up to 1,800 bar and special
eight-hole injection nozzles achieve exceptionally fine atomization of
the diesel fuel. The eight-hole injection nozzles are driven by what
are known as piezo in-line injectors. In this process, electrically
controlled piezo crystals – boosted by hydraulics – initiate injection
in fractions of a second. Compared to conventional solenoid valves,
piezo technology enables more flexible injection processes with smaller
and more precisely metered quantities of fuel. The results are a very
quiet and pleasantly soft running engine, exceptionally quick response
and the excellent fuel economy and emissions values already mentioned.
Another feature having a positive effect on the car’s
acoustics is the maintenance-free toothed timing belt for the camshaft.
The conversion to common rail technology and many other acoustic
measures, such as a noise-damping film in the windshield, make the new
Golf GTD one of the quietest diesel models in its class. In addition,
the GTD will fulfill limits of the Euro-5 emissions standard. Advance
sales of the Golf GTD in Germany will already begin in early May. And
the prospects for a successful market launch look good. Because this
sporty Volkswagen fits in perfectly with our times.
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Volkswagen is launching a new Golf highlight on the
market: the GTD. The acronym GTD has a long tradition: Back in 1982 the
first Golf GTD appeared – the GTI among diesels. The new Golf GTD with
its 125 kW / 170 PS speaks to all diesel fans who value a maximum in
dynamic performance. That is why the GTD shows such a clear similarity
to the new Golf GTI (155 kW / 210 PS). While the GTI is in a league of
its own with an efficient turbocharged gasoline engine that offers the
performance of far more expensive sports cars, the Golf GTD is making
its debut with phenomenal fuel economy.
Every 100 kilo meters, just 5.3 liters of fuel flow
through the piezo injection valves of the common rail engine that can
hardly be pegged as a diesel. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of
just 139 g/km. This contrasts with a top speed of 222 km/h and 8.1
seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h. When the driver accelerates, the
TDI surprises with exceedingly sporty sound, while still offering
excellent long-distance touring comfort thanks to its very good
acoustic properties.
Like the GTI, the GTD will also be offered with an optional six-speed
DSG instead of the standard six-speed transmission version. In the
opinion of many experts, this is the most efficient automatic of our
times. The Golf GTD with DSG reaches a top speed of 220 km/h, and it
too accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and consumes 5.6 liters of
diesel on average (147 g/km CO2). Thanks to these excellent fuel
efficiency values, GTD cars with either transmission version can travel
about 1,000 kilometers on one tank of fuel (55 liters).
GTD drive – TDI technology in detail
The most important conceptual component of the Golf GTD
is the common rail TDI with 170 PS being used in this model series for
the first time. The 1,968 cm3 displacement engine is part of a new
generation of TDI engines that is more fuel-efficient, low-emitting and
more powerful. In parallel, Volkswagen significantly improved the
acoustic properties of new generation TDI engines.
The maximum power of the GTD engine lies at 4,200 rpm. Between 1,750
and 2,500 rpm is where the engine – as sporty as it is economical –
develops its maximum torque of 350 Newton-meters. Its specific torque
is 177.8 Newton-meter per liter displacement. In practically any
driving situation, the 16-valve four-cylinder engine offers the power
of a sports car engine with six cylinders!
Fuel induction is handled by the latest generation common rail system.
Fuel injection pressures of up to 1,800 bar and special eighthole
injection nozzles achieve especially fine atomization of the diesel
fuel. The injection nozzles equip the piezo in-line injectors. The
electrically controlled piezo crystals – boosted by hydraulics –
initiate trigger injection in fractions of a second. Compared to
conventional solenoid valves, piezo technology enables greater
flexibility in injection processes with smaller, more precisely metered
fuel quantities and multiple injections with up to seven individual
injections per working cycle. The results are a very quiet and
pleasantly smooth-running engine, exceptionally quick response,
excellent fuel economy and low emissions. Naturally, the Golf GTD meets
limits of the Euro-5 emissions standard.
Engine acoustics are also improved by a fully
maintenance-free toothed belt drive for the exhaust camshaft. For the
first time on this TDI, Volkswagen is using an exceptionally low-noise,
ribbed V-belt covered by an elastomeric film to drive ancillary
components. The conversion to common rail technology and numerous other
acoustic measures – such as a damping film in the windshield, an
extensive noise attenuation package and aero-acoustic fine tuning of
the body – have made the new Golf GTD one of the quietest diesels in
its class.
Sound – sporty sound – was not exactly a strength of diesel engines
until now. However, the GTD’s new common rail engine is in fact
different. Like the new Golf GTI, the GTD also has an innovative engine
sound system that acoustically underscores the engine’s power. In
addition, the common rail TDI itself has a positive effect on passive
safety:
Compared
to the pump-nozzle TDI of the previous Golf generation, the new
turbo-diesel has a significantly lower vertical profile. This improves
pedestrian safety, since the engine hood now exhibits a larger
deformation area.
GTD handling – chassis has optional DCC
The new Golf GTD is equipped with a sport chassis
lowered by 15 millimeters. The entire architecture of springs, dampers
and rear stabilizer were completely retuned for the sporty
turbo-diesel. Up front, the familiar strut-type suspension operates
with helical springs and telescopic dampers. In the rear, the
innovative multi-link suspension ensures that the ESP system seldom
needs to intervene.
As an option, the new Golf GTD can be ordered with dynamic chassis
control (DCC). The system continually reacts to the roadway and driving
situation and modifies the damper characteristic accordingly. DCC also
reacts to acceleration, braking and steering inputs. This resolves the
apparent conflict in goals between a stiff, sporty layout and a
comfortable one. Background: A gain in sportiness generally means a
loss of comfort, and the opposite holds true as well.
An ideal chassis continually adapts to roadway
conditions and the driver’s wishes or those of the passengers. However,
that would require electrically adjustable damping. DCC is precisely
such a system. Along with the damper characteristic, the
electro-mechanical power steering is tuned as well. Dynamic chassis
control offers three programs: “Normal”,
“Sport” and “Comfort”. “Sport” and “Comfort” are selected via a button located in front of the gearshift lever.
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The styling and features of the Golf GTD and GTI
clearly show overlaps. Consider the front end, for example: Among the
hallmarks of the GTD and GTI are their bumper designs with standard
front fog lights in a typical vertical layout. Their headlights and
radiator grille are also identical in construction. In the case of the
GTD, the horizontal strips in the radiator grille – typical of the GTI
– are styled in chrome. The gran turismo diesel also shares the
honeycomb structure of the radiator grille’s lower and upper protective
screens with the GTI.
Consider the rear: The turbo-diesel has a modified
diffuser here. Even if no GTD emblem is ordered with the car purchase,
the diesel Golf can be recognized by the exhaust system’s twin chrome
tailpipes on the left side of the diffuser (GTI: one tailpipe on the
left and one on the right). The taillights on both Golf top versions
are smoked. The special exterior colors “Black” and “Tornado red” can
also be ordered on either car at no additional charge; they emphasize
the dynamic character of the two “GTs”.
GTD interior – look and features
The car’s interior follows Volkswagen’s GT philosophy
as well. And this means ergonomics in its purest form, supplemented by
features tailored to the Golf GTD. As in every sixth generation Golf,
the exceptionally high-quality materials that are used make an
immediate impression in their pleasing look and feel. The “top sport
seats” – the same as the ones used in the Golf GTI – define a higher
standard.
Their long-distance touring and racing properties are
legendary, as is their styling. In contrast to the GTI, the black sport
seats of the GTD are complemented by a light gray in the diamond stripe
pattern instead of red. The name of the pattern is identical: “Jacky”.
As a color for the so-called cap stitching, an elegant light gray (“Art
Grey”) is used here instead of red (“Flash Red”). The driver and front
passenger seats are height adjustable and equipped with a lumbar
support. On this car, the seating system can be ordered with full
“Vienna” black leather upholstery as an option.
Another highlight is the standard leather three-spoke sport steering
wheel. Its lower radius is noticeably flattened, a feature usually
reserved for race cars. The horizontal spokes were integrated in the
styling of the grip recesses for the hands. The ergonomically ideal
grip recesses are covered with smooth leather, while other areas of the
wheel feature perforated leather. Also as elegant as it is sporty is
the chrome look of the three spokes; the GTD signature was worked into
the vertical spoke. The wheel is also available as a multifunctional
steering wheel as a special option. When the Golf GTD appears with a
DSG transmission, its steering wheel functionality is extended by the
addition of shift paddles (“-” left, “+” right) located by the two
horizontal spokes.
Also fitted in standard black leather are the parking
brake lever and the gearshift surround. Here too, the light gray
stitching provides a color contrast. Chrome surrounds are standard on
the rotary light switch, As an option, Volkswagen is offering the same
Bi-Xenon headlights on the Golf GTD as on the Golf GTI, including
dynamic curve lighting.
The headlights swivel
through a steering radius of up to 13 degrees to the outside and seven
degrees to the inside. The styling of the headlights closely matches
the GTD’s sporty character. The embedded dual modules (Xenon outboard,
parking light / turn signals inboard) each have a chrome pod through
which a very impressive visual image
projects.
Another high-end technology of the new Golf GTD is the
optional “Park Assist”. The second generation of the system is used
here. It enables nearly automatic back-up parking parallel to the
roadway. The driver just needs to actuate the gas pedal, brake and (in
the manually shifted version) the clutch, while the GTD steers into the
pre-scanned space by sensor control. Previously, the space had to be at
least 1.4 meters longer than the vehicle; now 1.1 meters is sufficient.
In addition, the system now enables multiple forward-reverse stages in
parking. “Park Assist” deactivates itself as soon as the driver
manually intervenes in steering.
THE NEW TOYOTA ADVENSIS
