Aimed directly at the Peugeot 308 SW GT, the GTD Variant stands out from the stock Golf Variant with styling cues like GTD-specific bumpers, honeycomb inserts in the radiator grille, smoked tail lamps, two chromed exhaust tips and 17-inch alloy wheels. The GTD sits nearly half an inch lower than the Variant thanks to a sport-tuned suspension.
Interior pictures are not available but Volkswagen promises the cockpit has been upgraded with sport seats upholstered with Clark tartan, stainless steel pedal caps, Checkered Black trim on the dashboard and the door panels and a golf ball-shaped shift knob. The wagon offers 21.4 cubic feet of trunk space with five passengers on board and 57.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.
Power comes from a GTD-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI turbodiesel engine that makes 181 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm. Linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch DSG, the oil-burner sends the GTD Variant from zero to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds, roughly half a second slower than the GTD hatchback. Fuel economy checks in at over 53 mpg in a mixed European cycle.
The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant is on sale now in Germany with a base price of €31,975 (roughly $36,000). The list of options includes a €965 (about $1,000) Sports and Design Package that adds tinted windows, red brake calipers, 18-inch Nogaro alloy wheels and a driving mode selector.
At the time of writing Volkswagen is not planning on offering the Golf GTD Variant in the United States.
Live images by Ronan Glon.
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