VW to offer performance diesel Golf GTD

[bhtooefr]

Right, but a 2.5 TDI in a T4 or T5 Transporter, when almost every minivan has a 3.3-4.0L gasser in it, and the smallest engines in full-size vans are 4.3L...

I know HP isn't anything, but when merging in dense traffic, 150 (for the most powerful T4 with a VE-TDI) or 170 (for the most powerful T5 with a PD-TDI) isn't necessarily enough. (And, keep in mind, I'm talking about enough power to sell these things to drivers. Is 170 hp (and however much torque that thing has) enough? Yes, most likely. Is it gonna sell cars? Probably not.)

Edit: Of course, I did forget about one full-size van sold in the US that gets along with 3.0L diesels and 3.5L gassers...

 

[Bob_Fout]

Any modern TDI has plenty of oomph for merging. Montreal has notoriously short on-ramps and even the 90 hp ALH in my 99.5 was more than adequate. The older TDs were an issue, but not the ALH. It's simply nonsense that you need a 200 hp car. Even though I drive a 200 hp car

Actually, if my 200 hp car had been available with, say the NA 150 2.0 FSI, I would have bought that instead and saved a chunk of change. It would have been more than adequate for daily (read: non-dragstrip) driving.

When I was stock, and when I was only nozzled, there were times when 0 to 70 to 80 MPH for merging was kinda hairy

 

[PlaneCrazy]

When I was stock, and when I was only nozzled, there were times when 0 to 70 to 80 MPH for merging was kinda hairy

Oh, I forgot to mention an essential element of Montreal merging: cut the other guy off

 

[gregozedobe]

I've got a 2.5l TDI T5 Transporter (with the 174hp version of the motor). While it isn't great shakes off the line (too low a gearing in first and second, plus not enough traction), once you get into 3rd gear it motivates itself quite well, definitely more than adequate for anything except suicidal freeway merges.

Quite often I get nice people changing to the outside lane (being considerate to me and giving me room to get up to speed in my "slow" van), only for them to realize I am not only up to their speed quickly, but actually going faster then they are from a short run-up.

These vans might only have a 2.5 litre engine, but VW has managed to get a good lot of usable torque from them. They are a great highway cruiser, and it takes a surprisingly steep hill indeed to slow them down in 6th gear, despite it being quite highly geared (2,000rpm @ 70 mph).

I'm guessing that VWoA don't think the market is big enough to start importing them again, but they sell quite well in Australia (and lots of them have the lower powered 98 and 130 hp engines ).

Oh, and just to pretend I'm still "on-topic", us lucky folks down under have been able to buy a Golf GT with the 170hp PD TDI for ages, it is slightly less sporty in suspension than the full caffeine GTI (200hp TFSI petrol), but still popular with folks wanting a different balance between performance and fuel economy.

I wasn't very keen on the PD version when I test drove one, it seemed to have a lot of turbo lag, then all hell broke loose for a very short time, then it was time to change gear. It just felt like a narrow power band compared with both my Transporter and the Skoda Octavia (2.0 TFSI Petrol) that I ended up buying.

I have been hearing the CR version of the 170hp TDI motor is a lot smoother and quieter, and has a more progressive torque curve compared to the PD version. I guess you will see the CR version (if at all), because it is supposed to be less polluting than the PD.

 

[Carphuntin_god]

well, even if we get it, they'll stick another two doors on it... bastahds

 

[frugality]

well, even if we get it, they'll stick another two doors on it... bastahds

The Three F's rule is "Form Follows Function".

Fast = Functional
Four-door = Functional

 

[MunchausenDrive]

I'd go for it if it were offered here, but can't say I'm holding my breath. All I'd want is a manual transmission, though I've never driven a DSG, and two doors. If they bring it to the states I bet it will be a two door, or a 4 door option just as it is now with their GTI. I just don't want to pay a rediculous premium on getting a GTD vs. a GTI

 

[clacker31]

Rabbit GTD for 2010

We allready have model codes for a 2dr manual GTD and 4dr auto GTD for 2010 from VW

 

[domboy]

We allready have model codes for a 2dr manual GTD and 4dr auto GTD for 2010 from VW

Then hopefully codes for 4dr manual GTD will appear too...

 

[MunchausenDrive]

If there are model codes is it possible to assume that the car will be coming stateside?

 

[FlyTDI Guy]

VW Golf GTD

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/09/24/vw-to-offer-performance-diesel-golf-gtd/

Me like... Sorry if this is a repeat post. I searched...

 

[daniel_mad]

please please please

(yelling at the top of his lungs)

PLEASE VOLKSWAGENNN!!! PLEASEEEE!!! BRING US SOME JOY AND GIVE US A GOLF GTD!!! PLEAAAASE!!! I'LL EVEN BUY TWO!!!

 

[DickSilver]

You know damn well by now that it is unlikely VWoA will ever import it to North America. But, if for some strange reason they do, it will only be available with an automatic...

What I really want though is a diesel minivan that is made by VW, not just a rebadged chrysler

Once again - VW makes the minivan, they just don't have the sense to sell it in the USA!! Eurovan to us, Caravelle in South Africa, with a 2.5 litre TDI. NICE vehicle for those needing large minivan capacity.

 

[chewy]

Once again - VW makes the minivan, they just don't have the sense to sell it in the USA!! Eurovan to us, Caravelle in South Africa, with a 2.5 litre TDI. NICE vehicle for those needing large minivan capacity.

The European VW vans are way too expensive to actually make sense selling in the US. And they are not what Americans want in a minivan.

As for the Rabbit, it will likely have the same engine as the Jetta. And people should be happy about that, and buy a bunch of them. Then maybe VW will spend a lot of money to certify a more powerful 2.0 TDI for the US.

Anyways, the TDI to wait for is the 204 hp twin turbo 2.0 TDI, which has been rumored for a while but not even released in Europe.

 

[bhtooefr]

In fact, they were sold here, and flopped. EXPENSIVE, glass transmissions (the 01M is bad enough in a A-platform, put it in a big van that weighs twice as much, and bad things will happen,) poor fuel economy compared to minivans (even with a TDI, there'd still be 4-cylinder gasser minivans that could equal it...,) and it doesn't fit in garages unless you put lowering springs in the back and set the torsion bar to lower the front.

(Granted, it's nearly as big as a free candy van inside, but...)

 

[velociT]

agreed with PlaneCrazy
it will not be available here until 2010 id say if it ever hits vwoa
plus its gonna have even more rediculous filters on the exhaust
pretty soon all diesels will have 4 egr routes
the epa is doing nothing but hurting us in diesels

Yep, they loved the V10 Excursion and gave it their highest rating...

They didn't care it got 4-6mpg city, it put out clean exhaust.

The EPA is just one of the government agencies that needs an enema.

 

[Pat Dolan]

I'd be interested in the boxer diesel as well, but only if it can be had with a manual transmission...
Of course, I won't be in the market for awhile anyway...

At this stage of the game, it will ONLY be manual - since there is no slushbox in Subie's bag of tricks that can take the diesel's torque.

Legacy Outback diesel? You bet I will be in the front of THAT lineup.

 

[domboy]

At this stage of the game, it will ONLY be manual - since there is no slushbox in Subie's bag of tricks that can take the diesel's torque.

Legacy Outback diesel? You bet I will be in the front of THAT lineup.

Again, I hope you're right. However, all the early rumors I read said the US version would be automatic only. I've since read that they are planning a manual version for the US as well. I have no links to back up any of this... just tidbits from searching the Internet... could all be just rumors...

 

[MrMopar]

At this stage of the game, it will ONLY be manual - since there is no slushbox in Subie's bag of tricks that can take the diesel's torque.

Motor Trend says this *might* not be correct.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0801_subaru_boxer_turbodiesel_first_drive/index.html

"Backing the turbodiesel in our testers was a new five-speed manual transmission, geared specifically for diesel applications. While Subaru is considering a six-speed manual, expect this and an automatic to be offered in the U.S."

Subaru has good auto transmissions that can handle the torque of the turbo gasser engine - good enough to the point that Car & Driver rated the Subaru Forester as the best small SUV this year saying that the torque of the flat-4 engines is enough to keep the vehicle performing well even with a 4-speed auto transmission where others have moved to 5 and 6 speeds. We'll have to see if Subaru can beef up or design a new auto transmission that will last as long as the rest of the vehicle.

Article also says there are a few other changes, such as thicker CV joints. I should hope so, because my old 1991 Legacy went through CV joints about every 40,000 miles. The POS auto store parts couldn't keep up in regular service - only the Subaru parts (at three times the price) had any longavity and reliability to them.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Lucky Irish people! Here's one with a 6M http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/01/01/337098.html
Doesn't say if it will ever be offered with an auto or not. I can't believe a mfr would fail to offer a family vehicle without an auto option. A performance car like a Porsche-yes. But something intended for soccer moms?

 

[German_1er_diesel]

I can't believe a mfr would fail to offer a family vehicle without an auto option. A performance car like a Porsche-yes. But something intended for soccer moms?

I'd go out on a limb and say most European soccer moms don't know how to drive an automatic.
Automatics are pretty normal in "executive cars" here, like a 5-series or a E-Class. The typical family car doesn't have an autobox. Most engines in the Mondeo or Insignica or Passat range are manual only.
On our last vacation my girlfriend saw the automatic in the rental car and asked me "but how does it work? What do I have to do?"
That's quite normal. My own mother is 55 and has never, in her whole life, driven an automatic car. Scares her.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I remember my first time ever driving a rental car across the pond. We showed up at the rental office near the rail station in Penzance, UK, and the lady at the counter apologized profusely saying she only had an automatic (Escort) available. Then she asked me, like about 5 times, if I knew how to drive an automatic. Umm no, could you explain that "put it in D part again?"

Well at the time I WAS driving a standard ('85 Honda Prelude), but had also owned a couple of automatics... and hated them. My last automatic was our B5.5 TDI. When we had to replace our Jetta TDI after a wreck I had only one prerequisite: it had to be a manual. My wife now drives the B5.5

 

[bhtooefr]

When I took my driving test, I did it in a friend's automatic Mazda3.

Before I drove it, I truly didn't know how to properly drive automatic. Like, I knew the theory, but I couldn't keep a constant speed.

 

[frugality]

When I took my driving test, I did it in a friend's automatic Mazda3.

Before I drove it, I truly didn't know how to properly drive automatic. Like, I knew the theory, but I couldn't keep a constant speed.

The theory of the gas pedal is the same, whether it's in a manual or automatic.

 

[Bob_Fout]

The theory of the gas pedal is the same, whether it's in a manual or automatic.

Not exactly... if I drove an auto I would try to shift as I pleased (lifting as I tried), which can't be done with an auto.

 

[aloser]

Another German export we won't see over here!

On our last vacation my girlfriend saw the automatic in the rental car and asked me "but how does it work? What do I have to do?"
That's quite normal. My own mother is 55 and has never, in her whole life, driven an automatic car. Scares her.

I'd like to see more women like that over here! Can you spare a few?

I brought my daughter up right. She won't drive anything but a manual transmission.

Now to find a replacement for her mom (cheating ex-wife).

 

[Thunderstruck]

I'd go out on a limb and say most European soccer moms don't know how to drive an automatic.

My kind of soccer mom! I like one that keeps her hand wrapped around the stick for the whole ride. The only thing they do in the US is either keep their hand on their lipstick or their cell phone.

 

[FlyTDI Guy]

Sheesh... what happened to this

 

[bhtooefr]

The theory of the gas pedal is the same, whether it's in a manual or automatic.

Well, I learned to drive a VE-pump cable-throttle manual trans diesel.

Then I was driving a throttle-plated port injection DBW automatic gasser.

Things DO respond somewhat differently, and the transmission's fuzzy logic was used to my friend's driving, not mine. So, it shifted at exactly the wrong times, sometimes even when I was trying to maintain a speed.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Boy I'd sure buy one in a second.

I've been dreaming of a full R32 3 door but w/ a tarted up diesel for the powerplant.