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VW gives a glimpse of its all-new, oil-burnin’ GTD hot hatch ahead of Geneva

Nick Jaynes
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VW GTD

Another new Volkswagen has been revealed ahead of its Geneva premier next month, and it’s one we’ve been looking forward to for quite some time: the all-new GTD.

If you’ve never heard of it, don’t fret: it’s never been offered Stateside – but it might be. The Volkswagen GTD is essentially the much-loved GTI but in place of the turbocharged gasoline engine, Volkswagen mounts a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder instead. If you’re worried the combo might be disappointing – it’s not. VW engineers messed about with the engine management computer, significantly pepping up the diesel performance over its standard VW diesel brethren.

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VW GTD

Now there’s a new one based upon the Mk 7 Golf and it features VW’s new EA288 2.0-liter diesel motor. The new four-cylinder produces 181 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which represents a 13 horsepower leap over the current Euro-only 2.0-liter GTD diesel. The Mk 7 GTD will make a 0-62 run in 7.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 143 MPH with the six-speed manual. Should the customer choose the seven-speed DSG transmission, however, 0-62 times drop to 8.1 seconds and 138 MPH top speed respectively. We recommend the six-speed.

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According to AutoCar, the new GTD will achieve a combined 67.3-MPG but that’s in English gallons. In U.S. gallons, that would be 56 MPG. Some how, though, we figure that number will come down by the time EPA estimates are calculated for the US.

VW GTD

While a price for the U.S. is not yet know, and probably won’t be for some time, we’ll peg it around the $28,000 mark based upon what we’ve seen of Volkswagen’s U.S. pricing to-date. For that money, though, the GTD include sport seats, a sport steering wheel, some stainless steel pedals, and special interior trim. A Volkswagen representative has reminded us, however, that the GTD hasn’t been officially slated for a US release. We’re thinking, based upon the success of other VW diesels here in the States, chances are good the GTD will make its way across the pond this year.

We already think the current Mk 6 GTI is one of the best looking cars on the market. This Mk 7 GTD takes the cake – just look a those Audi R8-like fins by the fog lights. We cannot wait to tear around in a clean diesel hot hatch. Luckily, we won’t have to wait much longer.

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