GTI Vs TDI

[team_v]

I'd love to see a "real world" test where they had 2 adults and 2 children in each car and drove a hilly suburban course.

I'd be interested to know the different times to the top of a steep hill with a bit of a load on board.

The keener posters on this forum might want to get together for a hill climb!

I am just going form my test-drive in a diesel and petrol tiguan and my mates drive in a gti vs tdi golf.

Both had 3 adults and both the diesels felt sedate, capable but not outstanding.
The petrol versions just had power on tap and much better acceleration which would only increase with a chip.

[sabloke]

Hey, steep hill climb with load on board-that's exactly the kind of test you shouldn't try against a TDI in your GTI. That's what they're made for, that's where quick torque wins. Make yourself a favor and don't try it

[Dubya]

Hey, steep hill climb with load on board-that's exactly the kind of test you shouldn't try against a TDI in your GTI. That's what they're made for, that's where quick torque wins. Make yourself a favor and don't try it

That was my premise too.

[gregozedobe]

Hey, steep hill climb with load on board-that's exactly the kind of test you shouldn't try against a TDI in your GTI. That's what they're made for, that's where quick torque wins. Make yourself a favor and don't try it

The results might depend on whether the petrol is allowed to use it's full potential or not (ie run in a lower gear to give maximum accleration). It's useful to remember that the different engines have different rev ranges and often different speed capabilities in gears as well.

Accleration (ie increase in speed) is all about power to weight ratio, not torque to weight ratio. A stock Golf TDI doesn't have more power than a stock Golf GTI (and that relationship would remain the same after modifying both for more power).

Stipulate top gear only in the above scenario and a TDI will usually win , but ask me which one I want to be driving if I'm overtaking a B-double and suddenly need a lot more acceleration in a hurry ? I'd much rather go back a couple of gears in my TFSI and get power to accelerate rather than rely on TDI torque to get me out of trouble

Really it is "Horses for courses", and while TDIs have many advantages over a TSI/TFSI, similarly there a some things the TSI/TFSI engines do better. Choose the one you prefer and be happy, rather than trying to justify your choice by belittling the choices others make.

[Greg Roles]

All I know is several years ago we wouldn't be even contemplating this debate. "Performance" diesel, yeah right....which were my exact words to my dealer when he suggested I try the GT TDI....

[Frankenstrat]

but ask me which one I want to be driving if I'm overtaking a B-double and suddenly need a lot more acceleration in a hurry ? I'd much rather go back a couple of gears in my TFSI and get power to accelerate rather than rely on TDI torque to get me out of trouble.

In my experience, the TDI WILL accelerate very quickly when it's needed. But you have to get the engine revs up, so yes dropping down to fourth will accomplish the rapid acceleration anytime you need it.

[Lima]

Here's what I thought when I drove the Mk5 GT TDI a while back. I imagine the progression to the Mk6 model wouldn't have changed too greatly...

http://www.ausmotive.com/2008/05/03/...tdi-v-gti.html

[sabloke]

If I was looking for an all rounder hatch and I had to chose between GT and GTI, I would go for the Diesel. Why? Well, to be different I suppose, and for the torque. If you've never driven a modern oiler, do it before drawing any conclusions. Of course the TDI won't be as good to drive on a twisty road as the petrol, but then let's be honest, a GTI is not exactly the ultimate driving machine either. What I'm saying is you won't go wrong buying any of the two, they're both great cars.

On, by the way, I bet the GT would leave the GTI for dead in an 80-120 km/h test. Exactly the one that gives you an indication on how easy is to overtake that road train. Could someone find the official times to confirm or otherwise?

[sabloke]

Found the 80-120 km/h figures for the manual versions only. GTI 9.5 seconds and 10 seconds for the GT. As it turned out, I was wrong... However, now that we know there's only half a second between the two, imagine the cars racing each other uphill with two adults and two chlindren on board. My money's on the Diesel for this one