New diesel-powered Golf GTD unveiled

The new diesel-powered Golf GTD has been unveiled at the Leipzig motor show.

The ability to accelerate to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 136 mph are combined with average fuel consumption of 53.3 mpg and a range in excess of 650 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Powering the new GTD is a refined 2.0-litre (1,968 cc) common rail TDI engine, producing 170 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque. Driving through a six-speed manual or automatic DSG gearbox, this translates to performance with CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km.

The GTD suspension has been lowered by 15 mm when compared to the standard Golf and in addition, Volkswagen's innovative Adaptive Chassis Control system (ACC), featuring pneumatically controlled damper units, can be specified on the GTD. This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey.

As with the entire Golf range, the new GTD will feature ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag, all standard. The Golf was recently awarded a maximum five-star rating by the EuroNCAP crash testing agency.

The Golf GTD's appearance will differ significantly from the standard Golf's; it gains the GTI's honeycomb grille, badge-style and front-end design, though with the addition of chrome rather than red highlights. At the back, full body-coloured bumpers make the GTD appear lower and wider than it really is, while the Golf's standard wheels are replaced with 17-inch 'Seattle Black' alloys.

UK buyers will be able to order a Golf GTD from the end of April. Prices are yet to be confirmed but will start at under £22,000. The car will go on sale on 22 June - exactly one month after the first GTIs hit UK roads.