Volkswagen is offering user-choosers a way to drive a hot-hatchback without suffering high running costs and tax bills.
The new Golf GTD, which is available to order now, shares the exterior and interior styling of the range-topping GTI model but uses a 181bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine in place of the GTI’s 217bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit to deliver claimed average fuel economy of 67.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 109g/km. In contrast, the petrol GTI returns 47.1mpg and emits 139g/km.
The GTD is also cheaper to buy than the GTI – £25,285 vs £25,845 for a three-door model – and will cost less in company car tax.
A 40% tax-payer in the GTI will pay £162.55 a month in benefit-in-kind tax, compared to £134.45 for the same tax-payer in the GTD.
Another advantage of choosing diesel over petrol is lease rates, costing £244.53 a month (excluding VAT) on a three-year/30,000-mile Volkswagen Finance contract hire deal. A petrol GTI costs £284.85 a month (excluding VAT) on the same deal.
Offered in three and five-door hatchback guises and with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG automatic gearboxes, the GTD shares the GTI’s standard equipment list, which includes smoked LED rear lights, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, twin exhausts, 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and bodykit.
Inside, it offers the tartan seat fabric from the GTI, ambient lighting, climate control and touchscreen with DAB radio, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.
There are several Active safety features including:
1) Automatic Post-Collision Braking:
Applies the brakes after an accident to reduce the chances of a second impact; the pre-crash system which tensions seatbelts and closes windows and the sunroof if an accident is likely;
2) Front Assist:
Warns the driver in the event of coming too close to the vehicle in front, can prime the brakes, and operates at speeds of up to 99 mph
3) City Emergency Braking:
Can automatically brake the vehicle at speeds below 18 mph; Automatic Distance Control, a radar-operated cruise control that maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front; and seven airbags.
To read the latest VW Golf review click here.
