It’s here at the pumps that the GTD redresses the balance of
power. To be fair, the GTI is much more fuel-efficient than it has ever been,
with this latest 2.0-litre TSI engine capable of quite creditable returns. Of
course, you can forget the official figures, which suggest that the GTI can
average 47 mpg and the GTD can exceed 60 mpg overall. We only achieved those
sort of figures when driving for maximum economy, cruising steadily on the
motorway at between 55 and 65 mph for over 60 miles, trying not to get shunted
from behind by hard-working HGV drivers who were wondering why the hell this
‘hot hatch’ driver was getting in their way, instead of mixing it with the BMWs
and Audis at 90 mph in lane 3.
5.8-inch
touch-screen comes as standard on the GTD; nav costs extra
Much more realistic are our overall average fuel consumption
figures, deter-mined by accurate brim-to-brim measurements rather than relying
on the usually optimistic trip computer. Here we recorded a genuine 34.8 mpg –
call it 35 – for the GTI, and 48.4 mpg for the GTD. In reality, you’ll probably
see a genuine average of just over 50 mpg for the GTD, as our overall figures
also include the full-bore performance tests, and you’re more likely to drive
the GTD with an economy mindset. It is interesting to note, though, that the
very best economy ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ mpg figure we achieved for the GTI fell
3 mpg short of our overall average for the GTD.
The exact implications in terms of range between refuelling
depend very much on how close you’re prepared to risk running it to nearly dry.
Both tanks carry 50 litres (11 gallons) which means that the GTI could cover an
absolute maximum of 385 miles, to the GTD’s 532. More realistically, run it down
to the last 10 litres and, with diesel being that bit dearer, your full refuel
will cost you $90.20 for the GTD and $85.60 for the GTI, at typical current
prices ($2.14 per litre for petrol and 1.36 for diesel).
The 2.0-litre
turbocharged engine on the GTI puts out 217bhp in standard guise
That’s if you fill the GTI with standard 95 RON unleaded
petrol, of course. It will run quite happily on this lower octane fuel, but for
optimum performance and economy most fastidious drivers of high-performance
cars prefer to use the higher octane fuels. Shell V-Power, BP Ultimate or Tesco
Momentum work better in the high-compression spark ignition direct-injection
turbocharged 2.0-litre 16-valve engine, especially so during the heat of
summer. In which case, fill-up prices are much closer to the cost of diesel,
although the GTD will still get an extra 100 to 150 miles out of every tankful.
Just not so many loyalty points to redeem at the end of the year.
In all other respects, the GTI and GTD are very similar in
appearance. They both have much the same bodywork and styling features, with
the honeycomb grille and large rear tailgate spoiler, although long before you
get to read the badge on the tailgate you’ll be able to distinguish the GTD
from a distance by its paired twin tailpipes on the left-hand side, rather than
the GTI’s single pipes on both sides of its rear diffuser.
The GTD’s motor is
restrained but not unpleasant to listen to
Although they are of different designs (Austin on the GTI,
and Nogaro on the GTD), the standard alloy wheels and tyres are the same size
for both models – 7.5J x 18-inch rims with 225/40 R18 rubber – although 8J x
19-inch diameter Santiago rims are available as an option in both cases, if you
really want to reduce the ride quality. The $1,352 DCC adaptive / adjustable
suspension system is also available as an option for both cars, so that you can
run it in the Comfort setting all the time to take the edge off the roughness
if you do decide that 35-profile tyres and kerbed rims look more attractive
than the 18s.
