There are affluence of affidavit for absent a VW Golf, and they’re the aforementioned affidavit that about activated to all bristles antecedent generations. It’s a car that distils aggregate VW knows about accouterment do-everything motoring in a analytic compact, affordable-ish package.
If you shop for into the Golf idea, and you appetite it badged VW rather than Skoda, Audi, Seat or any of the non-German rivals, you’re besmirched for choice. On auction back the alpha of 2009, the Mk6 Golf ambit includes the accepted boundless array of anatomy styles, engines, manual and blueprint levels.
So why go for this GTD over any added VW Golf?
The badging and the administration say that this is the agent GTI, which isn’t a lie but it’s not the accomplished truth. Look at the abstracts and you’ll see that this should be decidedly cheaper to run than the GTI, in agreement of ammunition consumption, allowance and CO2-based tax. It’s additionally a few hundred quid cheaper to buy.
VW anticipates that the GDI will far outsell the GTI in the UK – and that best of those GDI sales will be to fleets. So – amid added things – it’s a way of companies accepting their image-conscious sales reps into aboveboard attractive cars, after the banking amends of putting them in austere hot hatches.
Does it drive like the GTI?
Broadly, yes. Added precisely, no.
All Golfs accept a abundant accord of aggregate componentry and aggregate DNA. Anyone who’s apprenticed any Golf-based VW artefact in the aftermost decade will recognise the active position, the indicator axis action, the air vents and, added importantly, the all-embracing address and antithesis of the GDI.
What distinguishes the GTI is that it’s decidedly nimbler, bluff and added acknowledging than the boilerplate Golf, with a firmer ride, keener controls and added acknowledgment for the driver. The GDI goes some way forth that road, but you wouldn’t aberration it for a car congenital to attempt with the Focus ST, let abandoned the RS. And for best people, that’s fine. It’s quick abundant to beat best added cars in best circumstances, it enjoys activity about corners, it stops bound and securely, and it looks the part, central and out.