Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Volkswagen-VW Golf has a 1968cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St4's includes the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive

The Golf shares its Diesel St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Golf's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1293 kgs (2850 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1968cc 16V St4 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 4200 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Golf you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Mini Cooper S R56 (154.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Golf.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf has a Power to weight ratio of 129.9 bhp per ton and 199.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Golf competing with the 2006 Mini Cooper S R56 (154.8 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 2d (154.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Golf generating around 199.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 4.2T Quattro V8 (224.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Audi A8 6.3 W12 L (224.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs) the or the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (8.10 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.87 secs @ 86.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (15.80 secs), the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs), and the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Golf equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison