VW Golf GTD 2.0 litre TDI10 | 08 | 2010Scotcars rating

    VW's performance car with a difference

    Overview

    VW’s advertising for the Golf has always been pretty smart and the series “if only everything was as a reliable as a Golf” says it all. The Golf GTi in particular has been much loved over the years and the latest incarnation, the sixth, coming 36 years after the original, is the best yet. The original GTi was planned to have a limited series of just 5000 cars. Five generations later, getting on for two million have been sold worldwide.

    It’s been joined now by a second performance model, the GTD, which reflects the huge advances made in diesel technology in recent years. What it brings is the sort of great performance you’d expect from a GT Golf, but great economy of more than 53 miles from every gallon and a low CO2 count. It not only performs well with superb driving ability, but it also looks pretty good too with suspension 15mm lower than the standard Golf’s and some great styling features with a lot of chrome.

    It's not just well designed, but well screwed together too

    On the road

    I loved it, if anything even more so than the last GTi I took to the road. It feels sold as a rock on the open road and the twistier the bends, the more the car seems to love it. On some demanding bends over the Campsie Hills north of Glasgow it stuck like glue and enjoyed it more as it wound itself up. What I particularly like about the Golf, and indeed every Volkswagen, is the build quality and feeling of something which is not just well designed, but well screwed together too. The diesel engine churns out impressive performance which, at 170 bhp, is only slightly down on the petrol GTi.

    Comfort & Safety

    The original Golf set new standards of interior and that’s continued throughout the generations to make the GTi one of the UK’s most popular hot hatches, and the Golf the best selling VW in the UK. The interior touches in the GTD are attractive and I particularly liked the subtle grey and black tartan seats with grey stitching. This is a performance car with real get up and go, but it is still very practical for everyday use as well. In effect, you can have a sensible car which will also give you back lots of fun when you ask it to.

    Should I buy one?

    Even after all these years the Golf is still a great car …and the GTD combines sensible practicality with enjoyable performance.

    Alan Douglas

    Quick Stats
    Price OTR/As Tested £24,195
    Engine / Power: 1968cc / 170bhp
    How fast?: 0-62mph 8.1secs / Max 138mph
    How big/heavy?: H1501mm  W1786mm  L4213mm / 1329kg
    How thirsty/CO2?: Combined 53.3mpg / 139g CO2/km
    InsGP/Road tax: 30E / Band E, £120
    Alternatives: Vauxhall Astra; Seat Leon; Ford Focus; Peugeot 308

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