Until Audi started winning Le Mans pretty much every year with its turbo-diesel-propelled racers, few automotive journalists - or car lovers for that matter - associated diesel engines with high-speed performance.
However, as well as being generally easier on fuel consumption than their gasoline-powered counterparts, diesel engines are starting to show that they can be a match in terms of performance, too.
To prove the point, Volkswagen has decided to launch its first ever sporty, yet economical estate car (or station wagon), the Golf GTD, which, as well as offering plenty of room for a family of four plus all their luggage, will be able to do 3.7l/100km on the combined cycle but still have enough grunt to go from 0-100kph in under 8 seconds.
It can do all of this, thanks to the 2.0-litre turbocharged 182hp/380Nm diesel engine that already powers a number of VW's GTD saloons (or sedans) and hatchbacks. And as well as carrying over the engine, VW is also carrying over the styling cues from the hatchback version of the Golf GTD.
So, the estate gets the same honeycomb grille, flared sills, special front and rear bumpers and 17-inch five-spoke alloys on the outside and sports seats, stainless steel pedals and a black headliner on the inside.
After making its debut in Geneva in March, the Golf GTD Estate will be heading for VW showrooms and the order books for European customers will be opening in April.
Highlights
> Bi-xenon headlights, sports suspension with lowered ride height, progressive steering
> 17-inch Curitiba alloys, black roof rails and dual chrome tailpipes.
> Sports seats in Clark tartan, illuminated door sills, black headliner and black pillar trims, golf ball-styled gear knob
> Optional Sports and Design package featuring driving mode selection, Nogaro 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and tinted windows.
