What's all this about?
Volkswagen is doing the logical thing and bestowing its Gran Turismo Diesel badge to the Golf wagon. That gives us the Golf GTD Estate, fitting into a marketplace occupied by newcomers like the Ford Focus ST Diesel Estate and Peugeot 308 SW GT Diesel and established Volkswagen Group products - think SEAT Leon ST FR and the Skoda Octavia vRS Estate (both of which use the same engine).
Which engine is it?
The one from the Golf GTD hatchback, of course. It's a 2.0-litre TDI unit making 184hp and 380Nm. Volkswagen says the GTD Estate can do 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds while returning 64.2mpg combined. Only one of these figures sounds plausible.
And what would I get in terms of specification?
Outside are bespoke bumpers and a honeycomb radiator grille, smoked rear light clusters, flared sills, black roof rails, dual chrome tailpipes and a set of 17-inch Curitiba alloys, plus bi-Xenon headlights. You can upgrade the wheels to 18-inch Nogaro rims, which are also part of the Sports and Design package - this features driving mode selection, red brake callipers and tinted windows as well.
Anything else to tell me?
The Golf GTD Estate has sports suspension that lowers the car by 15mm and progressive steering that varies according to the driving scenario. The GTD Estate will have its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March, ahead of UK sales commencing in April. Buyers will take delivery in June, with pricing and full specification confirmed closer to the car's launch.
Matt Robinson - 29 Jan 2015