Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Golf Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo.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, Estate 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 1492 kgs (3289 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Golf shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1968cc 16V St4 engine produces 181 bhp (134 kW) @ 3500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 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 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z 5.7 V8 (146.2 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 121.3 bhp per ton and 187.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 Golf competing with the 1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z 5.7 V8 (146.2 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Audi A4 3.0 V6 Quattro (146.1 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 187.6 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 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V3 - Classic JDM (212.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V3 V-Limited - Classic JDM (212.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs) the or the 2015 KIA Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.50 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golf and the 1989 Lotus Elan SE

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Golf on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.38 secs @ 83.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (16.31 secs), the 2005 Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (16.31 secs), and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 Golf equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

2017 Golf Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison