Overview

Released in Australia in June 2010, the Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, the front-wheel drive VW Golf GTD was powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed double clutch transmission (DCT or Volkswagen’s ‘DSG’).

GTD Engine

The Golf GTD’s 1968 cc four-cylinder diesel engine had a grey cast iron block with an 81.0 mm bore and a 95.5 mm stroke, a die-forged steel crankshaft with five main bearings, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, Bosch EDC 17 common rail injection (operating at up to 1800 bar via eight-hole injection nozzles with piezo in-line injectors), a Garrett GT14V turbocharger which provided peak boost pressure of 36 psi, an alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (belt-driven), exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel particulate filter and a compression ratio of 16.5:1.

Fuel consumption

Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the VW Golf GTD was 5.5 and 5.8 litres per 100 km with the manual and DSG transmissions, respectively. Furthermore, the Golf GTD complied with Euro 5 emissions standards.

DSG transmission

The transversely mounted DSG unit had two wet clutches, two input shafts and two outputs shafts. In this arrangement, Clutch 1 (C1) operated the odd gears (plus reverse), while Clutch 2 (C2) operated the even gears. When driving, the next-higher gear ratio could be engaged without actually being activated. To change gears, the clutch for the current gear would open and the other clutch (for the higher gear) would engage under electrohydraulic control. Since the opening and closing actions of the two clutches overlapped, Volkswagen claimed that the system provided smooth gearshifts in less than four-hundredths of a second.

In addition to its fully automatic shift mode, the DSG had a Tiptronic function to permit manual gear selection – this could be performed via the steering wheel gearshift paddles.

Suspension

The Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD had MacPherson strut front suspension (with lower A-arms and an anti-roll bar) and independent, four-link rear suspension which had three lateral control arms (the spring mounting, track rod and upper control arm), a trailing link at each wheel, coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Compared to the standard Golf, the front and rear suspension for the Golf GTD was lowered by 15 mm.

As an extra-cost option, the Golf GTD was available with electronically-controlled dampers (Volkswagen’s ‘Adaptive Chassis Control’) which enabled the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes – these modes also altered throttle response and steering settings.

Steering

The VW Mk.6 Golf GTD had speed-sensitive electric, power-assisted steering.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VW Golf GTD included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, a driver’s knee airbag, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, electronic stability control, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and outer rear seatbelts with load limiters. 

Brakes

The Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD had 312 mm by 25 mm ventilated front brake discs and 282 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a five-door Mk.6 Golf hatchback received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.72 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a slight risk of serious leg injury for the driver. In the side impact test, a fraction of a point was lost due to a very slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver – Volkswagen advises that a clip securing the side airbag has since been upgraded.

The Golf was subsequently reassessed under Euro NCAP’s updated testing methodology and received a five star safety rating which included a 97 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Features: Golf GTD

The Volkswagen Golf GTD had 17 x 7.5J ‘Seattle’ alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres. Beyond this, however, standard features were the same as the Mk.6 Golf GTi and included an eight-speaker sound system (Volkswagen’s RCD510) with a 6.5-inch touch screen, a six-disc in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/SD card), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, front ‘Top’ sports seats, ‘Jacky’ tartan cloth seat tirm, cruise control, daytime running lights, a rear fog lamp, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in leather, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, height adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, 12 volt power sockets (centre console and cargo area), front and rear floor mats, a cargo net, tinted windows, illuminated footwells, front reading lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, black headlining, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser. All Mk.6 Golf GTD models were fitted with a space-saving spare wheel.

Unlike the Golf GTi, the Golf GTD had an acoustic damping film in its windshield, a ‘noise attenuation package’ and ‘aero-acoustic fine tuning’ to reduce interior noise and vibration from its diesel engine.

August 2011 update

In August 2011, standard features for the Golf GTD were extended to include Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, and Volkswagen’s ‘Media Device Interface’ (MDI) with USB connection cable.

Options: Golf GTD

Extra-cost options for the Golf GTD included:

• A 300 watt, eight-channel Dynaudio sound system;
• Satellite navigation (Volkswagen’s RNS510);
• Vienna leather upholstery;
• A power adjustable driver’s seat;
• Rear parking sensors;
• A rear-view camera;
• Park assist (automated steering during reverse parallel parking manoeuvres);
• Bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights;
• 18-inch ‘Vancouver’ alloy wheels; and,
• A power-operated glass sunroof.

Brochure

• Brochure: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf (January 2012)

Related links

• Specifications: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD (June 2010)
• Press Kit: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD (June 2010)
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf

Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD

2009-11 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD: potential fuel leak

In February 2012, a recall was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf models fitted with 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines and manufactured between 2009 and 2011. In these vehicles, the engine’s fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line, producing a resonance that creates additional stress in the fuel line. As a result, the injector line for the number two cylinder could develop small cracks and cause fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could therefore result. To fix, Volkswagen installed an improved fuel injector line for the number two cylinder and vibration dampers on all of the injector lines (PRA 2012/13017).

Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD with DQ250 DSG: loss of power

In June 2013, a recall was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf vehicles that had six-speed DQ250 Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSGs); AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the recalled vehicles were manufactured from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009. In these vehicles, the wiring harness of a temperature sensor within the transmission may have insufficiently crimped connector wires. This could cause the temperature sensor to incorrectly detect high gearbox oil temperatures and activate the clutch protection function – this would illuminate a flashing gear warning light and cause 1) juddering of the vehicle, 2) a reduction in engine torque, and 3) opening of the clutch (as if the gearbox were in ‘neutral’). As such, loss of power to the wheels could pose a hazard to occupants of the vehicle and other road users. For the recalled vehicles, Volkswagen provided a software update for the gearbox control unit (PRA 2013/13625).

2010-12 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD: diesel engine NOx emissions

In October 2015, a recall was issued for 2010-12 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD vehicles with 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines. According to the recall notice, ‘the emissions levels may not meet regulatory requirements when the affected vehicle is driven under normal conditions’ (see ‘Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”‘, below). For the 2.0-litre EA189 engine, a software update will be introduced which takes advantage of improved simulation of air currents inside the air intake system. Volkswagen aims to implement the software update from January 2016; the labour time for installing the updated software is around half an hour. Owners could determine if their vehicles were part of the recall by visiting volkswagendieselinfo.com.au (PRA 2015/14950).

2009 and 2010 model year Volkswagen Golf: ABS and ESC may not operate

In March 2017, a recall was issued for 2009 and 2010 model year Volkswagen Golf vehicles. In these vehicles, thermal overload within the ABS/ESC control unit could interrupt the current flow and this could prevent the ABS and ESC systems from functioning as intended; a warning light would also illuminate on the dashboard. In critical driving situations, the absence of ABS and ESC could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants. As part of the recall, the software for the ABS/ESC control unit would be updated to regularly check the operation of the unit (PRA 2017/15956).

2011-12 model year Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD: overheating of starter motor relay

In March 2018, a recall was issued for 2011 and 2012 ‘model year’ Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD vehicles. In these vehicles, a bent or broken spring could obstruct the clearance of the spindle in the starter motor relay. Over time, this could cause a blockage, a permanent current supply to the starter motor and overheating of the starter motor relay. If the current supply was not detected, overheating of the starter motor relay could cause local scorching damage and a possible vehicle fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16669.

2010-12 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD: Takata airbag recall

In December 2018, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD vehicles. These vehicles had Takata airbags and the propellant wafers in these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal inflator housing to rupture and metallic fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion towards vehicle occupants – these fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17197.

2010-12 Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD: Takata airbag recall

In June 2019, recall campaign 69Q7 was issued for Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD vehicles. These vehicles had Takata driver’s airbags and propellant wafers inside these airbags could absorb moisture over time. In the event of airbag deployment, excessive pressure in the airbag inflator housing could cause it to rupture and metal fragments could be projected through the airbag cushion and into the vehicle’s cabin. These metal fragments posed a risk of serious injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17582.

Problems and faults: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Diesel engines: NOx emissions “defeat device”

Australian-delivered Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD vehicles powered by 2.0-litre diesel engines that were available for sale from 2010 to 2012 had software in the electronic control module (ECM) that could sense – via sensors measuring the position of the steering wheel, vehicle speed, the duration of the engine’s operation and barometric pressure – when the vehicle was undergoing emissions testing. The ECM would then run a ‘dyno calibration’ to produce lower nitrous oxide emissions during testing. At all other times, the ECM would run a separate ‘road calibration’ which reduced the effectiveness of the emission control system, specifically the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or the lean NOx trap.

Based on testing conducted by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), NOx emissions for the ‘road calibration’ were 10 to 40 times higher than US standards – this led the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a notice of violation under the Clean Air Act.As a result, these vehicles did not meet the environmental standards claimed by Volkswagen.

Problems and faults: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD

• A lack of drainage may result in rainwater accumulating in the bottom of the doors.
• The alarm may be set off for no apparent reason – a software update is available for this problem.

Released in Australia in June 2010, the Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, the front-wheel drive Golf GTD was powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed double clutch transmission (DCT or Volkswagen’s ‘DSG’). Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the Golf GTD was 5.5 and 5.8 litres per 100 km with the manual and DSG transmissions, respectively… Read full Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD review

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Euro NCAP: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf – crash and ESC testing

InEuro NCAP testing, a five-door Golf hatchback received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.72 out of 37. The Golf was subsequently reassessed under Euro NCAP’s updated testing methodology and received a five star safety rating, including a 97 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating. Videos are provided with the permission of Euro NCAP.

Fifth Gear: Volkswagen Mk.6 Golf GTD

Please note these videos are applicable to vehicles as they are supplied to their respective markets. As such, the features, prices and performance of the vehicles in these videos may differ from those which are supplied in Australia.