While SEAT showed a 280 horsepower estate in Geneva, parent company Volkswagen chose diesel as its fuel of choice for the hot new Golf Variant. That's right, the 184 PS 2-liter TDI from the Golf GTD is now available with a big boot and can already be ordered from €31,975.
The engine itself has been around for almost two years, but it's never been used in a Golf Variant. The GTD looks almost as good as a GTI, but the simple exhaust system at the back lets you know this isn't a true performance car.
As it arrives on the European scene, the Golf GTD Variant already has two powerful new rivals, the Peugeot 308 GT with a 180 PS BlueHDI engine and the new Ford Focus ST Wagon with a 185 PS TDCi engine.
With a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds, the GTD Variant is faster than its rivals, especially the Peugeot. However, the Peugeot claims to be 10% more economical.
In the looks department, the GTD Variant loses to both Peugeot and Ford. The Focus ST has sharp lines, aggressive styling and hides its diesel-burning identity perfectly, while the Peugeot 308 GT is upmarket and classy.
However, the VW badge should help a lot, as should the tartan seats and general quality look of the Variant. It actually makes more sense to buy this big version and enjoy it with the whole family than spend €1,700 and get the 3-door GTD hatch.
The only option you really need to consider is the €965 Sports and Design package featuring driving mode selection, Nogaro 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers and tinted windows.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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