In auto news this fall, Volkswagen has finally decided to bring the Golf GTD to America! Just not quite yet.

Why do we care, you ask?  Well, first, we’re a sucker for Volkswagens. And, second, we believe the novelty and customization options for the Golf line may just make them tomorrow’s classic car. Did you really think your wife’s 2009 Toyota Camry would be the car everyone is nostalgic about in 25 years?

Anyway.  Iterations of the GTD have long been available, and popular, in Europe.  In case you’re not familiar with VW’s compact hatchback line, the GTD is a “performance” diesel… and a more economical version of the gas powered GTI that us Yanks can currently buy.  Sure, that’s an over-simplification of the differences between the two.  But, from what we’ve read, the GTD is a good compromise between performance (read: speed!) and fuel economy.  With today’s gas prices, and our continuous need for speed, that’s a hybrid we can enthusiastically get on board with!

Beloved for its sportiness and pep, the GTI has been big in the US for years.  In fact, we’re VW’s biggest market for GTI sales.  And with the popularity of the Golf TDI “regular” diesel model, it makes sense that a combination of the two models would do well here. Concerning the GTD, Rainer Michel, VW’s vice president of product planning in the US, has said how much he likes the GTD, and how much he wanted to see it in the States.

The 2014 GTD specs show:

  • 0-62 in 7.5 seconds;
  • 184 horses;
  • 280 pounds-feet torque; and
  • 30/42 mpg (city/hwy) for the manual transmission!

Wow.

Keep your eyes open, diesel lovers… the Gran Turismo Diesel should make it ashore in 2015.  We can’t wait!

Until then, you can always check out the current VW classics 7 times a year in Pomona.  Our next show is December 8th.  See you then!