New GTD

[SRoman]

Hi all - joined up tonight and have just got a new GTD. Very pleased with its silky smoothness, comfortable and functional interior, and impressive array of features. Compared with my former GT Sport, the standout improvements are:
(a) the ability to soften the suspension via the ACC (the old GT Sport was a bit harsh)
(b) the amazing headlights that turn with the steering - this is a very worthwhile safety improvement
(c) the fuel economy seems to be amazingly good for a new engine.

Still getting used to a number of other differences, but it's mainly all good.

Interested to hear from other GTD owners out there...

[jazd]

Welcome and congrats on the purchase. Looking forward to seeing some photos and hearing some more opinions on the GTD compared to the GT.

[SRoman]

Welcome and congrats on the purchase. Looking forward to seeing some photos and hearing some more opinions on the GTD compared to the GT.

Thanks for the welcome jazd. It's still very early days with the new GTD but it's all going very well so far.

Some further minor differences that I've noted:
. The steering wheel has a touch more padding (could not have been any less than the GT Sport!)
. The steering wheel is not circular: the bottom half has a few angles but it's still good
. The control buttons on the LHS and RHS of the steering wheel are not quite as easy to operate without looking, although I guess I'll get used to them.
. The sun visor seems to be recessed further into the roof lining and is consequently not as easy to quickly pull down
. The fuel flap does not have a manual release, but instead is interlocked with the vehicle locking system, so assuming that the vehicle is already unlocked, you just need to push in the flap a little to have it spring open.
. The driver's door handle (exterior) does not have an obvious key hole: it is cleverly hidden.
. There are LED daytime running lights, which I think can be turned off by a combination of light switch manoeuvres
. The boot has lost its RHS storage pocket
. The centre console storage area behind the handbrake (under the arm rest) is much smaller and divided in two, so not as useful.
. There is a group of three pushbutton switches on the ceiling next to the sun roof control, and their function does not appear to be covered in the car's manual. I haven't finished investigating these yet, but I suspect that the one with a spanner symbol may initiate a phone call to VW Assist. If true, I had no idea that this feature was included.
. The engine and/or exhaust has a rather pleasant note to it; certainly not instrusive but noticeable.
. The front fog lights have a wider beam than that of the GT Sport
. The MFD shows a little more info within the trip computer menu (and this is customisable), including oil temperature (when > 50 deg)
. The climate controls are completely different and have lost the dual digital display, as the info now mainly appears on the RNS510 screen. So I don't know if it's still possible to dial up the diagnostic displays like can be done with the dual climate controls (providing uncorrected kph, mph, coolant temp etc.)

The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list - just the things that spring to mind.

[SRoman]

Another difference to add to the list is a design change to the radio antenna. My former GT Sport had an angled whip approximately 450 mm long on the centre back of the roof. The GTD does not have the whip, and radio reception (of Melbourne stations) on both AM and FM is noticeably noisier from my rural location. I don't expect that there would be any issue when in Melbourne.

Otherwise, still running in the engine and enjoying the drive.

[Greg Roles]

Very interesting read, I contemplate the GTD myself....thanks for the insight!

How is the power delivery in comparison??

[SRoman]

Very interesting read, I contemplate the GTD myself....thanks for the insight!

How is the power delivery in comparison??

Hi Greg, the engine specs are the same as the GT Sport (125 kW/ 320 Nm) and my GT Sport had the APR ECU upgrade, so it's a little difficult to compare, but the new GTD, with only about 1,000 km on the clock feels promising. Certainly nothing lesser than the GT Sport. In fact it feels smoother, just as eager to rev, and has a nice note when under throttle between say 2 & 3000 rpm.

I test drove a MkVI GTI then stepped back into my former GT Sport (with the ECU mod) and preferred the response of the diesel - it just keeps on pulling!