Volkswagen Confirms Golf GTD and R Models for Europe, U.S. Sales Still Under Consideration

Rolf Trump, one of the project leaders for the new GTI, told us at its European launch that the new 'R' will not have a V6 engine like its predecessor, the R32. Instead, it'll be fitted with a retuned version of the 2.0 TFSI found in the GTI and will develop 260-270-horsepower.
 
"It will have four-wheel drive," said Trump. "Anything more powerful than the [200-hp] GTI must have four-wheel drive." Marc Richte, the designer responsible for the exterior of the Golf, also confirmed that the car will look "significantly different to the GTI."

Given how good the new GTI is, the 'R' should be special but Volkswagen of America is yet to confirm whether it will be sold here. "When the last-generation GTI went on sale here, sales of the R32 ceased almost overnight," said a spokesman. "Given the relatively small volumes, we're not convinced that importing both cars makes commercial sense."

The other new hot Golf, the GTD, is also yet to be confirmed for the US. The GTD will share its hardware with the GTI, except that the 2.0TFSI engine will be replaced with VW's 168-hp common rail turbodiesel. This engine develops 258 lb ft of torque and will propel the Golf from 0-60mph in 8.1sec and on to a top speed of 136mph. In Europe the GTD will cost marginally less than the GTI and VW claims the GTD will be able to travel over 650 miles on a single tank of fuel.

The GTD takes its styling cues from the GTI, although it's more understated. The rear diffuser, red pinstripes and twin exhausts are deleted, for example. Inside, the GTI's sports seats and steering wheel are retained, but the red check is missing from the tartan trim.
 
The US version of the standard Golf TDI will debut alongside the new GTI at the New York auto show in April before it goes on sale in the US in October. By then, Volkswagen of America should also have confirmed with the new 'R' and GTD will also make the trip. -- Alistair Weaver, European Editor