2009 Volkswagen Golf GTD

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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Sporty Statement

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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GTD exterior – visual appearance and features

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.