Also great
Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
The engine is the real star, here. The Golf GTD uses a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 181bhp and 280lb ft of torque, giving it a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec (or 7.4sec if you opt for the DSG gearbox). There's a hefty rush of power as the turbo kicks in, followed by a broad mid-range that's potent enough to give the GTD serious pace. It also sounds quite appealing by diesel standards, with a sporty rasp as the revs rise beyond 3500rpm.
Despite its strong torque, the GTD suffers from little of the wheel scrabbling under heavy acceleration that's common in high-powered front-wheel-drive cars.