VW reveals sporty Golf GTD with 170HP and 44.3mpg Diesel engine

These are the first official photos of the new VW Golf GTD that was unveiled today at the 2009 AMI motorshow in Leipzig, Germany. As its nametag suggests, the GTD is the new Golf GTI's diesel counterpart and it is aimed at those who wouldn't mind trading off some dynamics for a thriftier ride. The GTD is powered by a 2.0-liter TDI common-rail turbodiesel producing 170HP at 4,200 rpm and most importantly, 350Nm or 258lbs of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. That's compared to the GTI's 210HP at 5,300 - 6,200 rpm and 280Nm or 207lbs between 1,700 and 5,200 rpm.

Like the GTI, the front-wheel drive Golf GTD will also offer, in addition to the 6-speed manual gearbox, an optional 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. With the standard gearbox, the GTD accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 sec (DSG: 8.1 sec) and reached a top sped of 222km/h or 138mph (DSG: 220 km/h or 137mph). The corresponding figures for the GTI with a 6-speed manual gearbox are 6.9 sec for the sprint to 100km/h and 240km/h or 149mpg top speed.

On average, the Golf GTD consumes 5.3lt of diesel per 100km or 44.3mpg US, which is significantly better than the GTI's 7.3 lt / 100km or 32.2mpg. Theoretically, the GTD can cover a distance of about 1,000 kilometers or 622 miles on one tank of fuel (55 liters).

The GTD come equipped with a sport suspension and 17-inch alloy "Seattle" wheels while the sportiest diesel-powered Golf borrows the designs of the front bumper, the radiator grille and the headlights of those on the GTI. However, the typical horizontal red strips in the GTI's grille are chromed on the GTD.

Inside, the GTD boasts sport seats in black and white plaid as well as a three-spoke steering wheel flattened along the bottom edge, a brake handle with a leather gaiter and light-grey seams and a black moulded headliner.

In Germany, the base price for the GTD which will be available in three- and five-door variants is €27,470 or with the current exchange rates, $US37,400.