GTI Vs GTD

[stormshark]

The GTD I test drove was every bit as fast as the GT TDI to 100kph, felt similar in gear, it's just that off boost the CR has better drivability, so when the turbo spools it's not as obvious as in the former GT TDI. The MKV comes on with a bigger spike though, and it's that factor I missed in the more refined GTD. I LOVED how much quieter the MK6 was, plus the interior is more modern. Suspension felt pretty similar, but I havn't tried the optional suspension.

A GTD with a chip for me thanks : )

FWIW- Following on from what Greg said my experience with the previous model GT Sport and observations from a recent day on the Phillip Island Race track in a GTD/Mk6 GTI (DSG)may be of interest to someone. Firstly agree with Greg on GT Sport/GTD comparison although reckon the GTD suspension definately better than the stock GT. But onto the GTD/GTI- during driver training drills/evercises etc there seemed little discernable differences between the two cars over the half day. However-when actually lapping around the track back to back, in my view the GTI was markedly different/better revving, handling etc. This is not to say the GTD would not be a good "mixed" daily driver it is a great car, i just can't see how these aren't priced at say a $3-$5k difference with the GTD cheaper. I drive mainly country Kms in a modded diesel so i personally have a preference for same but based on the drive day, closeness in pricing etc, i would go for the GTI in my next car.
oh and getting back in my own car which i guess is somewhere around $23k with say $4-5k suspension/remap etc mods,i am pleased to say was faster and better handling than the stock GTD for those looking at going that way, however the GTD is vastly better fitted out refined etc, but i guess a big difference between say $41k demo and dated $23k superceeded model for those contemplating that comparison.The other upside for the refined GTD is that the GT Sport i find can be a bit feral in peak hour traffic(which i rarely do)

[Junior_GTD]

Working at a VW dealership, I can say they are fairly even matched car (Haven't tried on the track, yet). I bought a GTD as I drive to brisbane once a month, so the K's get put on the car quite quickly. I think it all depends on the driver, I myself thinks it is a very good improvement on the GT TDI.
I think I just like how it doesn't really sound as deisel-ish as my MY11 103TDI.

[DkN]

in terms of performance I really doubt the GTD can have much, if any, improvement over the GT TDI other than suspension. The engines are identically spec'd right down to peak power & torque RPMs, so I suspect it's the placebo of the "refinement" talking. I'm curious as to how that actually turned out, does switching to CRD from PD not actually require an overhaul of the engine, or are the figures purely coincidental?

As to the diesel sound of the PD engine... there ARE things you can do about that, although it might take some effort (or in my case, risk by removing the DPF - and I suppose it really is the exhaust note, the engine at idle will always sound tractor-ish).

if it was GTI vs GTD though, GTI is the performer, no question. Not saying GTD / GT TDI is slow, so many people who took a ride in my car were surprised by how well it pulls. The GTI just pulls faster. I do agree that all things considering, the GTD should really be a few $k less than the GTI, like it was for the mk5. Does anyone know if the GTD has XDL like the GTI?

[stormshark]

Does anyone know if the GTD has XDL like the GTI


Pretty sure on the track day it did.

[Corey_R]

The VW specs doc say it does...

[DkN]

Hmm that gets me interested for a test drive.. but hell I wanna test drive them all

[uu11wa]

Bought a GTD

Hi all, I purchased a new GTD a few days ago and totally love it. It has heaps of power, incredible fuel economy and is generally a lovely car.

The options I have are DSG, Leather, Xenon Lights and 18 inch rims.

I will agree that it does sound a bit tractor like and people screw their nose up and say... It's a diesel. Trust me though, one lap around the block and they all are very impressed by the power this car has.

1st gear is a bit of a nothing gear which is the only downside, after that it pulls strong and keeps going well into areas that aren't good with a double demerit point weekend.

As for a previous question in this forum, is the fuel economy really that good. Yesterday when I got home after travelling 300km the computer said I still had 800km t travel. My last small car was a Mazda SP23 with the same sized tank and it was lucky to see 550km to a tank.

I was undecided on a GTI or the GTD but in the end decided on the GTD as diesel cars will be the future and I'm old enough to still want a fast car but not base everything on 0-100km/hr figures. I obviously think the GTD is the winner for a sensible car with grunt.

[uu11wa]

After a series of stuff ups by the dealer I am driving around in a new GTI while my GTD is in for minor repairs. I can honestly say I love my GTD with the DSG gearbox much more than the manual GTI I'm getting around in. On paper the GTI is obviously quicker but to drive I really think the GTD feels quicker. It also says I have 400+ km to go when I have half a tank of fuel unlike the GTI which says 240. No brainer as far as I'm concerned! The GTD is awesome.

[Misfit]

Brought a GTD myself over the GTI I did find the GTI a little quicker of the mark but I love the torque of the diesel my GTD has BT/MDI/ACC/DYNAUDIO/PARK ASSIST/ and I love coming home from work up the Adelaide back hills and slip it into ACC & sports mode this is really were its shows how good it is, and after hammering up the hills you know you still used bugger all fuel compared to a petrol.
One happy GTD owner here.

Misfit.

[Frankenstrat]

Hi all, I purchased a new GTD a few days ago and totally love it.

Where abouts are you U11WA? And what colour GTD did you get?

[random]

Hi all, I purchased a new GTD a few days ago and totally love it. It has heaps of power, incredible fuel economy and is generally a lovely car.

The options I have are DSG, Leather, Xenon Lights and 18 inch rims.

I will agree that it does sound a bit tractor like and people screw their nose up and say... It's a diesel. Trust me though, one lap around the block and they all are very impressed by the power this car has.
....

Drove both GTI and GTD and went for the D. The GTI is the star on performance but where am I to use it. I drive 28kms each way to work and the rural highway section has been reduced to 90 km limit (blackspot). I decided that if I was going to be responsible for giving birth to another vehicle on the planet that it might as well chew less rather than more fuel as the performance is more than enough for me.
After driving the the German autobahns I now understand why fast cars are made, but we do not have the roads like that. Before that experience I had real reservations about cars that did more than twice the speed limit, what's the point.
Comments about an extra 1.8 litres per 100 for the GTI as trivial do not add up. Round that up to 2, say the GTD gets 6 l/100, that is a 33% additional fuel for the GTI each time you fill up. If you have pushed the GTI it would be 50% more and if you did not push it, then you might as well have bought the D anyway.
Now having got that out of my system, I can still see why the GTI is the icon and why the golf is what it is. It's just me, I just don't need the top end, I need the torque, and cool.

[jessv3]

I had previously disregarded the GTD, I just didn’t really see it as a worthy replacement for my MK5 GTI given it has less power and in real dollar figures is only around $400 per year cheaper to own for the amount of driving I do. This was until my parents recently purchased a MK6 2.0tdi DSG comfortline, which I had the pleasure of driving for a few weeks.

Wow is all I can say, I really am surprised at how much better the quality of the MK6's interior is over the MK5's (and my GTI has leather vs the comfortline which does not). There were a few statements in this thread about the MK5 GT TDI being just as good as the GTD, well I can confirm that the interior alone is worth the upgrade, everything just feels more solid, more German, finally comparable to the older MK4 which was of Audi standards.

Secondly the engine, which is noticeably quieter then the MK5 TDI, the only time you’re reminded it is a diesel is when you look at your distance to empty and it reads 1000+. In gear acceleration doesn’t feel at all like a diesel, it just feels and sounds more like a grunty six. The only real weakness I found with the engine was it felt slow off the line, nothing really happens in fist gear, but due to the DSG and the low torque delivery by time you’ve hit second you’re slung shot forward and have left the traffic behind you in a cloud of black soot.

The fuel consumption, an average tank for me in the GTI is around 550kms which is usually 1 round trip to Sydney (300 highway) and the rest heavy city, which by no means is bad given that’s just on 50ltrs of fuel. The Comfortline however I managed to score 800kms, although as per my original statement this is not really a deal breaker but certainly an influence in the decision making.

So the GTD is looking like a very possible contender when I want to upgrade next year, unless the new Polo GTI is given a bigger better engine, a 1.8tfsi or even a 1.6tfsi would be nice.

[SilvrFoxX]

Have you driven the MKVI GTI, that might make you fizz even more

[Greg Roles]

Comparisons aside, you do have to admit it is astounding to put the words "diesel" and "GTI" in the same paragraph. Only several years ago diesels were flat out making any sort of power at all, and a lot of black soot in the attempt to do so! I think diesels have come a LONG way in the last few years, they still have their shortcomings ( sound anyone? ), but that torque vs fuel use, well it's hard to beat.

[SilvrFoxX]

Comparisons aside, you do have to admit it is astounding to put the words "diesel" and "GTI" in the same paragraph. Only several years ago diesels were flat out making any sort of power at all, and a lot of black soot in the attempt to do so! I think diesels have come a LONG way in the last few years, they still have their shortcomings ( sound anyone? ), but that torque vs fuel use, well it's hard to beat.

I would put forward the argument that top end trumps it every time.. the counter is also that that performance cars have some "economic" measure making them attractive which makes me scratch my head.

No argument that diesels have come a long way but to your point having the GT brand placed on it makes me wonder