Golf GTD

[Zeke]

Anyone out there have the latest on Australian release dates, configuration and pricing for the Golf GTD

[Corey_R]

No, no and no.

There has been no announcement from Volkswagen to indicate that the GTD will come to Australia - in fact, they have said that they would be concerned that it would impact GTI sales.

The GTD was actually certified for Australia at the same time the GTI was back in July 09, but nothing else has occured.

It may seems strange to not bring a car due to the 'impact to sales' of another car from the same brand - but the simple fact is in Australia, one of the biggest 'marketting' things that a product has is "We're the number 1 selling, so come see why". That is really important to draw in all the 'non-enthusiasts' who may not look at a product unless it was popular.
The GTI is the #1 selling 'sports car' under $45k in Australia (or whatever the level is atm), so if VW were to release the GTD and even the Scirocco, that could then give the #1 spot to another manufacturer.

[Zeke]

It will come downunder just when is the question.
It makes sense.
It enhances VW's green story and there focus on cleaner energy.

VW,s whole existence is to sell cars and lots of them and dominate the various market segments.

The real impact to sales will be to AUDI's A3 P&D models.
AUDI is already suffering in the lower A3 market with the release of the Mk6 Golf .

Currently the 103TDI just doesn't cut it as a small/midsized upper market exec transport for user chooser carpackaged execs .
VW needs a replacement for the extremly popular Golf GT TDI, and fast. They couldn't get hold of these fast enough when it was released .

One other thing , not everyone likes the boyracer trim on the GTI the GTD is a litlle more subdued in this respect.

[Dave8878]

The GTD is forecast to arrive in May or June fingers crossed!

[AdamD]

It may seems strange to not bring a car due to the 'impact to sales' of another car from the same brand - but the simple fact is in Australia, one of the biggest 'marketting' things that a product has is "We're the number 1 selling, so come see why". That is really important to draw in all the 'non-enthusiasts' who may not look at a product unless it was popular.
The GTI is the #1 selling 'sports car' under $45k in Australia (or whatever the level is atm), so if VW were to release the GTD and even the Scirocco, that could then give the #1 spot to another manufacturer.

That's an interesting point, Corey.

Further, with regard to the whole GTI/GTD competition, remember that it costs a manufacturer quite a bit to import another model (compliance, marketing, service and spares, administration), and in most cases they're only going to justify that cost if it's offset by a significant increase in total brand sales. So while a 103 TDI may be a worthy import that would bring in customers who may otherwise buy a Peugeot or Ford diesel (for example), the GTD business case may not stack up if all it's doing is selling at the expense of the GTI.

Having said that, other importers (including VW) have already elected to bring in diesel alternatives to performance petrols in Australia (the RenaultSport Megane and Octavia RS for example), so maybe the business case is there for the GTD.

[Zeke]

DAVE8878 ,Any idea on the pricing and is VWA taking orders at this time.

[Corey_R]

@Zeke, in case Dave doesn't come back any time soon, you can always go to a VW dealer and put a 'holding deposit' to secure your place in line and nominate the specs that you'd like for a future model. There are MANY people on these forums that have done that for the Golf R for example. Just make sure you put in conditions such as 'subject to price and test drive and release date' etc.

As for pricing, VW Australia typically only releases pricing a few weeks prior to the launch of a vehicle, so if it is May or June I'd be highly surprised if Dave had an answer for you at this point

Based purely on overseas markets which have both the GTI and GTD, you could make a safe 'guesstimate' that the GTD will range in price from 'the same as a GTI' to about '$2,000 cheaper than a GTI'. All the options would be priced the same as the GTI. Unlike the GTI, the GTD would never be subject to LCT even with all options tacked on due to the fuel consumption comfortably being under 7l/100km.

[Zeke]

Thanks Correying. Hope it does come in around mid year.

Cheers

[cktsi]

[QUOTE=coreying;
It may seems strange to not bring a car due to the 'impact to sales' of another car from the same brand - but the simple fact is in Australia, one of the biggest 'marketting' things that a product has is "We're the number 1 selling, so come see why". [/QUOTE]

I know this is a moot point now, but in the Mark 5 series there was a GT sport 2.0 TDI that looks to be the same spec as the GTD (125kw diesel). So VW did it before in the Mark 5 series - so no reason to not repeat it again.

But it is funny that what was the GT Sport TDI in mark 5 has suddenly been upgraded to a GTD nameplate.

[Corey_R]

I know this is a moot point now, but in the Mark 5 series there was a GT sport 2.0 TDI that looks to be the same spec as the GTD (125kw diesel). So VW did it before in the Mark 5 series - so no reason to not repeat it again.

But it is funny that what was the GT Sport TDI in mark 5 has suddenly been upgraded to a GTD nameplate.

Yeah, but the 'GT' was a lower specification to the GTI. It fit between the standard Golf's and the GTI.
The GTD is practically identical to the GTI. It has the 125kw diesel, different wheels, a 'monotone' version of the GTI cloth interior, a 'twin' single side exhaust (instead of a single exhaust each side), and some chrome trim outside instead of the red. The rest of the specs are practically identical, including the XDS, brakes and 15mm lowered suspension (I'm not sure if the suspension is 100% identical, but there is hardly any weight differences, so it's possibly the same).

[Zeke]

CKTSI, If you go to the VW UK site you'll see they still produce a Golf GT TDI
However for whatever reason it is only available with the 103 KW/140PS 2 litre diesel. So I guess there is little point in VWA bring that model in as it is just the same as the Comfortline 103TDI aready sold here.
So the GTD it is, and that's a good thing.

[Brendan_A]

They'd be silly not to bring the GTD to Aus. It would be a good seller. Can't beat Diesel power!

[team_v]

But it is funny that what was the GT Sport TDI in mark 5 has suddenly been upgraded to a GTD nameplate.

It is probably like the TSI/FSI/TFSI issue.
VW comes up with all these names and then no one knows anything about them or the differences between them except the true enthusiasts who frequent forums like this one.
the worst part is the dealers don't know the differences and hence cannot be a definiitve source of informaiton on prodcut differences.

It is much easier to go back to a single name and keep the GT(I/D) for the sports and everything else just a golf.
Otherwise we have a golf, golf gt, golf gt sport and golf gti/d etc.

[cktsi]

Yeah, but the 'GT' was a lower specification to the GTI. It fit between the standard Golf's and the GTI.

In Mark 5 guise, the GT Sport TDI had sports suspension (similar if not identical to GTI), the fog lamps, dual climate, flappy paddles and 16" rims. Can't recall, but there may have even been tinting.

My point is the track times for a Mark 5 GT Sport TDI vs GTD would be close if not identical as they have the same engine. Having said that you make a very good point that GTD will gain the XDS which will contribute to better handling than the GT Sport TDI - but then that's the Mark 6 evolution over Mark 5 anyway.

Yes, cosmetically GTD will get GTI style flat bottom steering wheel, special grey stitching & inserts... but to me these are minor cosmetic differentiators GT Sport TDI to GTD... compared to GT Sport TDI vs Comfortline TDI 2.0 where you had the lower suspension, dual zone air, upgraded engine, fog lamps etc.

Agreed though that the new nomenclature is easier on most people, but keen VW watchers like me will spot the substance underneath.

[Zeke]

Correyng. VW sites and some GTD reviews say no XDS and others say yes it comes standard. Suspension on GTD not lowered as much as GTI I think.

VW UK says
GTD - "Sports suspension, lowered by approx. 15 mm"
GTI - "Sports suspension, lowered by approx. 22mm front; 15 mm rear"