Volkswagen Golf 2006 review
While Audi focuses on cubic capacity, parent VW offers the new diesel Golf as an alternative to sheer size
For buyers demanding superb performance and decent economy, the GT TDI seems to offer the perfect blend. However, for an additional £1,500, you can get the keys to the all-singing GTI version, which is still relatively frugal. As a result, the oil-burner may strug-gle to attract buyers.
The powerplant is fitted to the oil-burning answer to the Golf GTI, badged the GT TDI. This car's 2.0-litre four-cylinder delivers 167bhp, and also offers 350Nm of torque.
The 0-60mph sprint takes a little over eight seconds, and the top speed is 137mph. Far more impressive is that the torque is available from low in the rev range. This means pulling out of junctions in second gear causes few problems.
While the engine is pleasingly quiet on the move, the suspension set-up isn't as firm and sporty as on the GTI, and the GT's handling is significantly less composed as a result. That said, a combined economy figure of 46mpg - 11mpg better than the petrol car's - makes this more bearable.
Without the imposing grille and red stripe, the flagship diesel looks much less purposeful than the GTI. Disappointingly, apart from the twin exhaust pipes it's largely indistinguishable from standard oil-burning Golfs.
Still, the GT TDI makes sense in many ways - except when it comes to price and image. While it costs £1,500 less than the GTI, this Golf certainly isn't cheap, and lacks the all-round desirability of the performance petrol model.
