Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant
It was in 1982 when the first Golf GTD entered the market. It became an icon of all sporty diesels. This was due to the almost unique ability of this long-distance Golf car of the Golf model range to combine the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a small car. Now, for the first time since the original Golf GTD, Volkswagen is launching the sportiest of all compact diesels as an Variant car. The agile diesel Variant is powered by a 135-kW / 184-PS 2.0-litre TDI engine. Combined fuel consumption with a 6-speed manual gearbox: 4.4 l/100 km (equating to 115 g/km CO2). Optionally, Volkswagen offers the Golf GTD Variant with a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). Here too, a low fuel consumption figure of just 4.8 l/100 km (CO2: 125 g/km) distinguishes this highly efficient Variant car. Low emissions are ensured by such technologies as a NOx storage catalytic converter; the Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant also fulfils the Euro-6 emissions standard as an Variant.
Dynamic driving performance and handling properties
The Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant has a stop/start system as standard, and in battery regeneration mode it exploits deceleration phases to charge the battery. The 2.0-litre common rail turbodiesel is distinguished by its already cited fuel economy and its extreme power. The engine - which is equipped with two balancer shafts - develops a constant maximum torque of 380 Nm from 1,750 rpm to 3,250 rpm. This focused charge of efficiency lets the new Golf GTD Variant accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds with either gearbox version. Its top speed of 231 km/h (DSG: 229 km/h) reveals it to be a sports car among diesel Variants. Further attributes of its special sporting status are standard features such as the XDS+ vehicle dynamics function, ESC Sport, progressive steering that is as direct as it is comfortable, sport suspension (15 mm lower) and 17-inch wheels ("Curitiba" design) with 225 size tyres.
Technically, the XDS+ electronic differential lock is a functionality that is integrated in the electronic stability control system (ESC) for improved vehicle dynamics. XDS+ is an extension of XDS, which is familiar from the previous model; its functionality has now been extended to cover all unbraked driving states. The new system improves agility and reduces the steering angle the driver needs to input by means of targeted brake interventions at the wheels on the inside of the bend at both axles. In addition, XDS+ is effective over all conceivable road friction coefficients, resulting in more precise handling, even on snow.
In the new VW Golf GTD Variant, Volkswagen is offering the "ESC Sport" function for very experienced drivers. The system is activated by a two-stage switch on the centre console. If the driver pushes the button once briefly, it deactivates the ASR function (traction control). When the button is pressed for longer than three seconds, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) switches to the "ESC Sport" mode. In very fast driving with lots of bends - such as on the race track - ESC responds later and thereby enables even more agile handling characteristics. As an alternative to activation via the pushbutton on the centre console, ESC can be activated or deactivated by CAR menu settings.
Thanks to progressive steering, drivers of the Golf GTD Variant will not need to turn the steering wheel as much to turn through any desired radius. When driving through tight bends they will also not need to reach their hands over the wheel as often. With progressive steering, it takes 2.1 turns of the wheel to reach the end stop; with the standard steering system of less powerful Golf models it takes 2.75 turns. How it works: conventional steering systems operate with a constant gear ratio; the new steering system of the Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant, in contrast, operates with a progressive steering gear ratio. This perceptibly reduces steering work when manoeuvring and parking. On country roads with lots of bends, and when making turns, the driver experiences greater dynamics due to the more direct layout.
The TDI of the VW Golf GTD Variant is one of the four-cylinder diesel engines of the EA288 engine series. This efficient engine conforms to the limits of the Euro-6 emissions standard, even in the sporty Golf Variant. Key features of the GTD engine include variable valve timing (VVT), dual-loop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), integration of the intercooler in the intake manifold, a common rail system that now operates with 2,000 bar instead of 1,800 bar and a turbocharger designed for the higher power levels.
Variable valve timing with a camshaft adjuster is the most important component for reducing emissions already inside the engine. Among other things, the concept implemented for the GTD engine enables a high degree of effective compression during the cold start and the warm-up phase, low-emission combustion with very good NOx and particle values as well as a good, sustained filling of the combustion chamber up to the full load range.
Dual-loop exhaust gas recirculation is of prime importance in attaining minimal emissions. It consists of a cooled low-pressure EGR system (LP-EGR) on the exhaust side and an uncooled high-pressure EGR system (HP-EGR) on the induction side. The driving force behind this were the stringent requirements of the Euro-6 emissions standard that make it essential to lower emissions even more significantly after a cold start. The uncooled high-pressure EGR is primarily used for this purpose; it improves the combustion process by increasing the inlet air temperature. This, in turn, increases the exhaust temperature, which accelerates the response of the catalytic converters. The results: low raw HC (hydrocarbon) emissions while keeping NOx values low. In addition, mixing in uncooled exhaust (HP-EGR) during low-rev driving prevents cooling of the emission control equipment when the engine's operating temperature low. Meanwhile, the low-pressure EGR system plays out its advantages during normal driving operation and up to the full-load range, in order to ensure highly-effective NOx reduction, even at higher load requirements.
To ensure the car complies with the Euro-6 emissions standard, there is a NOx storage catalytic converter upstream of the diesel particulate filter in the Golf GTD Variant. The exhaust system also has two oxygen sensors; one sensor controls the reduced air operating modes for the NOx storage catalytic converter; it also serves as the input parameter for the model stored in the engine controller for determining the engine's NOx and soot emissions. The second oxygen sensor is used to determine contaminant loading and the aging state of the NOx storage catalytic converter. Meanwhile, three temperature sensors, which are also integrated in the exhaust system, provide the input parameters for control of the regeneration operating modes and the exhaust gas temperatures.
The TDI of the VW Golf GTD Variant is not only very low-emitting, fuel-efficient and torque-strong; it also runs smoothly because it has two balancer shafts with anti-friction bearings which eliminate the free inertial forces that occur in any piston engine system.
The new Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant leaves the Wolfsburg plant with bi-xenon headlights and cornering lights as standard. One distinguishing feature of the GTD is the understated elegant chrome strip in the radiator grille; it traces the same sporty lines as its legendary red counterpart in the Golf GTI which, however, is not offered as an Variant car. The chrome strip extends into the headlights, dividing them into an upper section with bi-xenon elements and a lower section with the indicator. Beneath this is the bumper that is specially designed for the GT models, with integrated LED fog lights (optional) on the left and right as well as air guide elements in a glossy black finish and the lower radiator grille insert with a black honeycomb structure. From the side, the Golf GTD Variant is distinguished by its 17-inch "Curitiba" style alloy wheels with 225 size tyres and side sill extensions. At the rear, the chrome dual exhaust pipe trims on the left side and a GTD badge identify this sporty Golf Variant. In addition, this Golf is equipped with dark-red tail lights as standard. Like the two-door and four-door versions of the Golf GTD, optional standard paint finishes for the Variant are the three GT exterior colours "Tornado Red", "Black" and "Pure White".
Alongside the car's dynamism, versatility is another showcase discipline of the new Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant. Thanks to a luggage volume of 605 litres (loaded up to the backrests of the rear seats), the Volkswagen offers a remarkably large bootspace even with five people on board. When the vehicle is loaded up to the front seat backrests and up to the headliner, cargo capacity grows to 1,620 litres. To conceal the luggage compartment behind the rear bench seat from prying eyes, it is fitted with a cover as standard; when it is not needed, the roller blind, like the net partition, can be stowed under the cargo floor. In addition, the cargo floor can be adjusted in height or removed entirely.
Passengers enter the car over stainless steel door sill guards with white illumination that are fitted as standard. The driver and front passenger sit on sport seats upholstered in classic "Clark"-style GT tartan design. The front seats are height adjustable and fitted with a manual lumbar support and seatback storage pockets. Visually, the Golf GTD Variant features a mixture of black, grey and white colour tones together with chrome elements; leather upholstery ("Vienna") can be ordered as an option. Black headlining rounds off the sporty atmosphere at the top. In addition to the automatic climate control system (Climatronic), Driver Alert system and "Composition Touch" radio system (with features including SD card slot and AUX-IN interface), standard equipment also includes ambient lighting. Features adding to the exclusive sporty flair of the interior of the new Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant include brushed stainless steel pedal and footrest caps, a leather-trimmed three-spoke multifunction sport steering wheel that is flattened at the bottom and fits perfectly in the hands, a GTD gear knob, and instrument cluster with the extended control settings offered by the "Premium" multifunction display.
