Volkswagen Golf GTD

Any model which uses the excellent Golf MkVI as a starting point has to be taken seriously and the GTD doesn’t disappoint. It combines the sporty looks of the GTI with impressive mid-range punch and fuel economy. Comfort and refinement are also first rate, and the oil-burner is fun to drive, too. With a lower price and CO2 output than its GTI stablemate, the GTD is the perfect choice for astute company car buyers.

Here at Auto Express, we are fully paid up members of the Golf GTI fan club! But that hasn’t stopped VW from coming up with a fresh take on its legendary hot hatch to tempt us into switching our allegiance.

This is the new GTD, and as its name suggests, it aims to match the desirable styling and racy handling of the sporty petrol-powered MkVI GTI with the mid-range punch and excellent fuel economy of a strong diesel engine.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the VW Golf

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To make sure it doesn’t get mistaken for any other Golf, the GTD features many of the styling tweaks that help the petrol flagship stand out.

Its distinctive front bumper, honeycomb grille and unique rear spoiler certainly do the trick, although the newcomer does without the GTI’s gorgeous telephone dial alloy wheels.

The red trim on the grille that identifies the GTI is also replaced – with a glitzy chrome strip. It’s certainly eye catching, but for our money, the oil-burner doesn’t pack quite the same visual punch as its turbocharged, petrol powered cousin.

Once you’re behind the wheel, though, it’s clear that differences inside are not quite as dramatic. The GTD features the same high-quality materials, smart design and generous dimensions that make even entry-level Golfs so appealing.

Sports seats and a gorgeous three-spoke steering wheel add a racy flourish, but the leather upholstery of the model we drove costs an extra £1,675.

On the subject of price, the GTD weighs in at £22,435 – it doesn’t come cheap. Even the five-door GTI will set you back £23,000, so what do you get for your money?

Power comes from the firm’s 2.0-litre TDI engine. This delivers 168bhp – that’s 39bhp less than the GTI. But look at the torque output, and the newcomer starts to make more sense. It peaks at 350Nm, easily outmuscling the 280Nm produced by the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine.

Volkswagen claims the GTD can sprint from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, but what impresses more when you hit the road is the car’s in-gear response. Its smooth and linear power delivery provides strong overtaking punch. And with six gears to choose from, the diesel model is a fantastic long-distance proposition. It will happily cruise at motorway pace with plenty in reserve.

Better still, despite its lowered suspension set-up – and our car’s larger 18-inch alloys – the ride is excellent.

And the diesel Golf continues to impress on more testing roads. It shares the superb grip and tight body control that make the GTI such fun to drive, while its composure over mid-corner bumps and uneven surfaces is fantastic.

The soundtrack provided by the gruff diesel engine can’t match the aural appeal of the hot petrol model, but it suits the character of the GTD and is muted at cruising speeds. Strong brakes, precise steering and a light, positive gearshift round off an incredibly polished dynamic package.

In addition, the GTD is kind to the wallet. Its CO2 emissions of 139g/km are low for a family hatchback with this much performance, while real world fuel economy in excess of 40mpg speaks for itself. So although it doesn’t wear the evocative GTI badge on its grille, the GTD is an incredibly talented hot hatch in its own right.