Gtd

[philthy]

GTD specs are up on Caradvice

127kW, 8.1s 0-100, 5.3 L/100.

Has GTI interior.. Nice!


http://www.caradvice.com.au/26862/20...gship-preview/

[Lima]

Gotta be quick.

More HERE too.

[Corey_R]

I've seen elsewhere that many people are upset that it doesn't look exactly like the GTI. But then if they did make it exactly like the GTI there'd probably be a lot of GTI owners that are upset that their cars look exactly like an oil burner!

I think the GTD is a great move. I'm sure there'll be lots of people in Europe who will buy this... I'm not sure in Australia though. There is still such a stigma attached to diesel. I'm not sure we're ready for diesel performance cars :/

[Golf Houso]

I've seen elsewhere that many people are upset that it doesn't look exactly like the GTI. But then if they did make it exactly like the GTI there'd probably be a lot of GTI owners that are upset that their cars look exactly like an oil burner!

I think the GTD is a great move. I'm sure there'll be lots of people in Europe who will buy this... I'm not sure in Australia though. There is still such a stigma attached to diesel. I'm not sure we're ready for diesel performance cars :/

Ever been in a Golf GT diesel? They haul serious arse! The individual styling and fuel economy would be enough for people to consider this model.

[Corey_R]

Ever been in a Golf GT diesel? They haul serious arse! The individual styling and fuel economy would be enough for people to consider this model.

Sure have. They're fantastic!
But we as Volkswagen enthusiasts aren't the people that VW need to convince. It's Mr General Public out there in Australia who for the past 50 years have looked at large capacity V8's and high-revving euro engines as 'performance' cars. Most of the public seem to be only starting to accept that modern small capacity 4 and 6 cylinder turbo engines can provide equal performance & smoothness as their big ol' V8's etc. I think telling them now that a 4 cylinder turbo diesel is also a performance car is a bit much for them to swallow....

That's at least the case in the areas I frequent

[Golf Houso]

Sure have. They're fantastic!
But we as Volkswagen enthusiasts aren't the people that VW need to convince. It's Mr General Public out there in Australia who for the past 50 years have looked at large capacity V8's and high-revving euro engines as 'performance' cars. Most of the public seem to be only starting to accept that modern small capacity 4 and 6 cylinder turbo engines can provide equal performance & smoothness as their big ol' V8's etc. I think telling them now that a 4 cylinder turbo diesel is also a performance car is a bit much for them to swallow....

That's at least the case in the areas I frequent

Thats quite right, alot of people are still averted to diesels primarily from the noise and the smoke, both things which the newer model VW's seem to be reducing dramatically in every revision.

I also meet alot of people that find it hard to believe that 50-60hp can be made by a simple remap of a VW motor, and how cost effective it can be to improve performance at least in the short term. Let alone after I tell them about my friend's 270kw MKIV GTI This will definately be a nice addition to the MVI range.

[Russ59]

According to the latest edition of the Volkswagen Magazine 2009 it says that every 2nd passenger vehicle sold by VW in 2008 was a diesel.

I think that should give you an idea of how popular the oilers have become and I don't think there is any doubt in most peoples minds that they're an excellent option to their petrol counterparts.

Russ

[Corey_R]

Yeah - but that counts the European sales where diesel has been a valid alternative for decades...

[STV4SYT]

Yeah - but that counts the European sales where diesel has been a valid alternative for decades...

In europe, petrol is now the alternative fuel, or pretty damn close.

I dont think that people are shying away from diesel here, certainly half of the Golf's i see on the roads are diesel.

I got to drive a GT petrol last week, in direct comparison to mine, and i have to say it doesnt go half as well until you really rev the out of it.

[Russ59]

IMHO I think in general people are looking at the economy and reliability aspect of a diesel as well. As Steve tdi has just said, the fact that he felt he had to rev the guts out of the petrol GT to get real performance would have to be another + for the TDI. I know with mine that it doesn't matter how hard you drive it, even around town, it still averages no more than 7 L /100 km in fuel consumption and I only have 10,000 k's up so it should get even better. I doubt that the petrol models would do as well in comparison.

Russ