Harper Lin
The Golf GTD, one of the UK's most popular company cars, has been discontinued. The decision to end production of the Golf GTD was made to focus on the development of the eHybrid and GTE plug-in variants. The Golf GTD was a turbodiesel hot hatchback with a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine. The Golf GTD was a mainstay in the Golf line-up since its reintroduction with the Mk6 and had been a popular variant of one of the most popular hatchbacks in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discontinuation Status | Confirmed |
| Reason | Focus on eHybrid and GTE plug-in variants |
| Decision Maker | Kai Grunitz, Head of Technical Development for Volkswagen |
| End of Internal Combustion Engine | Confirmed |
| Facelift | Golf Mk8.5 in January 2024 |
| Remaining Variants | Two non-GT branded diesels |
| Previous Popularity | One of the most popular company cars in the UK |
| Debut | 1982 |
| Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine (TDI) |
| Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Suspension | MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link system at the rear |
| Wheel Size | 18-inch and 19-inch |
| Upholstery | Plaid with grey highlights |
| Steering Wheel | Touch-sensitive multi-function controls |
| Shift Lever | Electronic |
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What You'll Learn
- The Golf GTD is discontinued due to a focus on eHybrid and GTE plug-in variants
- The Golf GTD was a turbodiesel hot hatchback
- The Golf GTD was one of the UK's favourite company cars
- The Golf GTD was a victim of stringent WLTP standards and Dieselgate
- The Golf GTD badge will be confined to the history books
The Golf GTD is discontinued due to a focus on eHybrid and GTE plug-in variants
The Golf GTD, one of the UK's most popular company cars, is being discontinued. The Golf GTD is a turbodiesel hot hatchback version of the Golf, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine.
The decision to discontinue the Golf GTD was made to focus on the development of the eHybrid and GTE plug-in variants. Kai Grunitz, the head of technical development for Volkswagen, confirmed this decision. The Golf GTD has been a mainstay in the Golf line-up since its reintroduction with the Mk6, originally featuring in the first three generations of the hatchback. With the new Mk8.5 Golf, Volkswagen has confirmed the continued production of the GTI and GTE versions, which will be the more performance-focused versions of the hatchback.
The Golf GTE is a hot hatchback version with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that produces 245 PS. It has an all-electric range of about 60 kilometres in EV mode, with a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery supplementing the 1.4-litre TSI direct-injection petrol engine. The GTE, along with the GTI, has distinct styling to set it apart from less powerful Golf models. The front features a large honeycomb grille with a blue accent and an LED light strip, while the rear has a diffuser-style bumper and wider side sill panels. The interior also features sports seats with different fabrics and other minor changes.
The Golf Match eHybrid and Style eHybrid are also new plug-in hybrid options offered by Volkswagen, with the Style eHybrid delivering up to 88 miles of electric range and the Match eHybrid delivering up to 89 miles. The Golf GTE has an impressive electric range of 82 miles. These new plug-in hybrid options provide improved charging properties, reducing charging time.
With the shift towards electrification, it is uncertain if a ninth-generation Golf will be produced, as Volkswagen has not confirmed this. However, Grunitz stated that Volkswagen "won't kill the Golf" and that the next version is expected to be "fully electric".
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The Golf GTD was a turbodiesel hot hatchback
The Golf GTD is no more. In 2024, Volkswagen discontinued the Golf GTD, a turbodiesel hot hatchback that had been a mainstay in the Golf line-up since its reintroduction with the Mk6. The GTD badge is likely to be confined to the history books, with the end of the internal combustion engine for the nameplate.
The GTD was first introduced in 1982, combining GTI packaging and chassis modifications with a turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel engine. Over the years, the GTD offered a unique proposition: edgier performance and the efficiency of a diesel engine. The 2012 Mk7 model, for example, delivered 184 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, with a combined economy of 60.1 mpg and low emissions of 124 g/km.
The GTD's performance and efficiency made it one of the most popular variants of one of the most popular hatchbacks in Europe. However, the model became a victim of stricter WLTP standards and the fallout from the Dieselgate scandal. With the arrival of the Mk8.5 Golf, Volkswagen decided to focus on developing the eHybrid and GTE plug-in hybrid variants, discontinuing the GTD in the process.
While the GTD may be discontinued, Volkswagen has stated that it \"still believes in the diesel". The Golf itself will continue into the electric age, with Volkswagen expecting the next version to be "fully electric".
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The Golf GTD was one of the UK's favourite company cars
The Golf GTD, one of the UK's favourite company cars, has ceased production. The Volkswagen Golf Mk8, which debuted in January 2024, does not include the GTD in its line-up. This decision was made to focus development on the eHybrid and GTE plug-in hybrid variants.
The Golf GTD was a turbodiesel hot hatchback with a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine. It had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and shared its suspension with the GTI. The GTD offered a combination of sporty performance and fuel efficiency, making it popular among business users. With its edgier performance and fuel efficiency, the GTD contributed to the rise of the diesel-powered car market in Europe.
The GTD was first introduced in 1982, and its popularity continued with the Mk6 and Mk7 versions, which offered increased torque and improved fuel economy. However, the GTD's sales declined due to stricter emissions standards and a backlash against diesel engines. The model became a victim of the more stringent WLTP standards and was affected by the Dieselgate scandal.
Despite the end of the GTD, Volkswagen has stated that they still believe in the diesel fuel. The company plans to continue the Golf model, with the expectation that the next version will be fully electric. The Golf GTE, a plug-in hybrid variant, is also available and offers impressive performance and electric range.
The Golf GTD's discontinuation marks the end of an era for one of the UK's favourite company cars. Its combination of performance, efficiency, and comfort made it a popular choice for many drivers. While the GTD may be confined to the history books, its legacy and impact on the automotive industry will be remembered.
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The Golf GTD was a victim of stringent WLTP standards and Dieselgate
The Volkswagen Golf GTD, a turbodiesel hot hatchback, has been discontinued. The Golf GTD was first introduced in 1982 and has since been a popular variant of the Golf hatchback. However, with the arrival of the Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen confirmed that the Golf GTD would be discontinued, while the GTI and GTE performance-focused versions would continue.
The decision to discontinue the Golf GTD was influenced by several factors, including the stringent WLTP standards and the Dieselgate scandal. The WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) standards are more rigorous emissions and fuel economy standards that have impacted the viability of diesel-powered vehicles like the Golf GTD.
Additionally, the Golf GTD was implicated in the Dieselgate scandal, which involved the use of a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine (TDI) that was found to have higher emissions than advertised. This engine, known as the EA189, was at the centre of the scandal that affected Volkswagen and other car manufacturers. The negative publicity and backlash from the Dieselgate scandal likely contributed to the decision to discontinue the Golf GTD.
While the Golf GTD is no longer in production, Volkswagen has stated that it still believes in diesel fuel and has not ruled out the possibility of a ninth-generation Golf. Additionally, Volkswagen continues to offer other diesel variants of the Golf, such as the Golf GTE, which is a plug-in hybrid version, and the Golf GTI, which offers a petrol engine option.
The discontinuation of the Golf GTD marks a shift in focus for Volkswagen towards more environmentally friendly options, such as electric and hybrid vehicles. The company has also emphasised the continued popularity of the Golf model, suggesting that future generations of the Golf may be fully electric.
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The Golf GTD badge will be confined to the history books
The Golf GTD, one of the UK's favourite company cars, has ceased production. The Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 will continue the production of the GTI and GTE versions, but the GTD will not be a part of this generation of the Golf.
The GTD badge has been a mainstay in the Golf line-up since it was reintroduced with the Mk6. It first featured on the first three generations of the hatchback and even survived the diesel gate scandal. The GTD was one of the most popular variants of one of the most popular hatchbacks in the country. The appeal of the GTD was obvious: the combination of GTI packaging and chassis modifications with a turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel engine.
However, the GTD's popularity took a hit with the arrival of stricter WLTP standards and the fallout from Dieselgate. The model's sales suffered as company car tax bandings and general sentiment turned against diesel. The GTD's diesel engine was seen as a lesser, dirtier, and drabber option compared to the available petrol-powered units.
With the Mk8.5 Golf marking the end of the internal combustion engine for the nameplate, it is likely that the GTD badge will be discontinued. Volkswagen has not confirmed the production of a ninth generation of the Golf, and the continued production of the Golf-sized ID.3 casts doubt on its future. However, Volkswagen has stated that they “won’t kill the Golf” and that they expect the next version to be “fully electric”.
While the GTD badge may be confined to the history books, the Golf itself will continue into the electric age.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Volkswagen has discontinued the Golf GTD. The decision was made to focus development on the eHybrid and GTE plug-in variants.
The Golf GTD was discontinued due to the backlash against diesel and stricter WLTP standards. The diesel engine in the Golf GTD was also associated with the Dieselgate scandal.
The Golf GTD was discontinued in 2024 with the release of the Mk8.5 Golf, which does not include the GTD model.
The GTI and GTE models will continue to be produced, offering performance-focused and hybrid options. The Golf R and Golf R 333 are also available as special edition models.
