New Reveal : 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTD

VW hatchbacks are popping up rapidly. For 2009, there's the Mk 6 Golf GTI with uprated power, and the all-new 2010 Polo that cracks 85 mpg of fuel-saving driving. So, can there be a VW hatchback that emerges between the two? Well, it's got to be this. The all-new 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTD.
It was rumored before, and it's true now. It's a real GTI among diesels, even better. Volkswagen calls the GTD "the 1000 kilometer GTI". In other words, the GTD should be a very fuel efficient hot hatchback.
In the looks department, all the cosmetic changes from the base Golf are similar to the GTI body kit. GTD comes with sport chassis and 17-inch rims that are similar to the ones on GTI. Exterior is very similar to the GTI too - bumper, grille and headlights are all identical. Rear side is different though, and has dual exhausts on the left side, not on the left and right like the GTI. Inside, it's much more of the same with the sporty bucket seats like the GTI, and a three-spoke steering wheel flattened along the bottom edge. Overall, it really looks like a GTI, just with the I changed into D, for diesel.
The diesel engine in the GTD is also similar to the petrol one in the GTI. It's a 2.0L turbo, with less horsepower than the GTI, but more torque, at 170 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox, the GTD will scamp to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, and top out at 138 mph. Yes that's a bit slower than the GTI, but with a lot more torque, the GTD can cruise and top out just as fast as the GTI.
It's even better. With a 55 liter / 14.5 gallon fuel tank, and the diesel engine managing 44.3 mpg, the GTD can cover 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) on a single tank. That means in reality, the GTD will certainly be just as quick as the GTI if not even quicker, because it's doesn't have to stop for re-fueling while going to long road-trips.

Sales of the Golf GTD will start already beginning of May. Prices for the Golf GTD start at 27,475 Euros ($36,550 USD).

Source : [Volkswagen]