The Volkswagen GTD proves to be a satisfying GTI substitute

Diesel cars are a huge deal in Europe because diesel is cheaper to buy compared to petrol, provides more mileage and produce more torque, which means more towing power and more power from start. From daily beaters to luxury sedans, you can find diesel engines in almost any car today. There used to be no such thing as a performance diesel, but cars like the Volkswagen Golf GTD have changed all that.

Never heard of the GTD? We don't blame you. The only time the GTI's diesel brethren was available in Singapore was six years ago, in numbers so small you'd almost never see one on the roads. That, or you'd have easily mistaken one for a Mk6 GTI. During the launch of the updated Golf family in Majorca, Spain, we managed to get behind the wheel of a GTD to find out how it has matured and if it's any less of a hot hatch than the GTI.

The most obvious difference here is their powertrains. While the GTI runs a turbocharged 2.0-litre TSI engine, the GTD uses a 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel. The GTI has a 46bhp horsepower advantage over the GTD's 181bhp but the former loses out to the diesel's 380Nm torque output by 30Nm. Even though the GTI may be more entertaining higher up the rev counter, the GTD dishes out an abundance of torque right from the down low.

In the GTI, you'd want to drive it hard, and its engine sings a pleasant raspy tune when you do. In the GTD, the turbodiesel tends to sound a bit rough as you advance towards the redline. But because the GTD's torque punches from low to mid range, it won't make much sense to always stay in a high rev range anyway. The GTI is the faster car in a drag race, but the GTD's saving grace is more twisting force, which is of use when overtaking Singapore's pesky perpetual road hogs.

Where the GTD runs rings around the GTI is, of course, in fuel economy - a fact that's already proven in our previous GTD review a couple of years back. We didn't get to properly test this out in Majorca but if marketing materials are anything to go by, the GTD promises to travel 20.4km on one litre of diesel while the petrol does 15.6km on a litre of petrol. Credit for this is also because the GTD we tested was already using a new seven-geared DSG gearbox, while the GTI was on the old six.

In corners, the GTD performs almost as nicely as the GTI, thanks to a solid MQB platform and sports suspension. It's quick and comfortable playing around twisties while balancing an easy, undemanding everyday drive.

Design-wise, inside and out, there isn't much that sets the GTD and the GTI apart. In place of the GTI's signature red bits are the GTD's chrome and white trims, and GTD identifier badges.

As an economical substitute to the GTI, the GTD lacks edge. But compared to a BMW 1 Series diesel hatch, the equipment-abundant, understated sporting charm of the GTD is tough to ignore. Unfortunately, given our Government's vexing diesel tax structure revisions, it's highly unlikely the GTD is going to make a comeback on our shores. The GTD would otherwise be a superb example of what a GTI sibling should be, and a perfect family hatch for dads and mums who crave more performance.