Golf GTD to make a come back!

[Snoopy]

I'm not "offended" by a GTD but just very disappointed that the new GTI isn't sufficiently different in its STYLING from the GTD because VW have suddenly inserted the GTD style and that it's a further step towards boring uniformity. I'm not talking about comparitive performance - I don't care about that as I'm not a willy-waver.

Perhaps it's all about cost efficiency. Well, fook all that! Utterly boring and without any individual design flare and cool style.

Robin you keep saying the same point but forget something.
How about the past 1.5 years and the GTsport TDI mk5? It came with the same style leather seats that were also standard in the GTI. It had the same sheild style grill etc.
To me this GTD is basically the same as they did in the past year or so. Similar styled front but without the red line, similar styled seats and interior. At least with the mk6 GTI the back will be alot different were as with the mk5 its only slight.

As for styling imo im sorry but the GTI was never about styling that was left to ford,bmw,peugeot,etc. Im sad how VW has gone so far for styling with the mk5&6 rather than go for engineering over looks like they did with mk1 and to a degree the mk2. If it had no engineering reason to be there it was not fitted simple.

[RedRobin]

Robin you keep saying the same point but forget something.
How about the past 1.5 years and the GTsport TDI mk5? It came with the same style leather seats that were also standard in the GTI. It had the same sheild style grill etc.
To me this GTD is basically the same as they did in the past year or so. Similar styled front but without the red line, similar styled seats and interior.

....I never said I liked the GTsport TDI Mk5 (or whatever it's called) either.

You can't ignore styling even if it follows function. The Mk5 GTI's style is what initially attracted me.

I'm only voicing the opinion that I much prefer to see distinct styling differences. It's one of the reasons I'm put off Audi's - They all look far too similar.

[cmdrfire]

As for styling imo im sorry but the GTI was never about styling that was left to ford,bmw,peugeot,etc. Im sad how VW has gone so far for styling with the mk5&6 rather than go for engineering over looks like they did with mk1 and to a degree the mk2. If it had no engineering reason to be there it was not fitted simple.

Mk1 was about styling! Red line around the nose, black edging to the rear window, running stripe along the flank. About the only "nonessential" parts of Mk5 GTI styling is the honeycomb (but it's nicer than a slatted grille IMO and the two fog grilles have actual application on "Trop" spec cars) and the red stripe.

[Snoopy]

^ Yes the mk1 had the red line round the grill instead of the crome. Yes it has stickytape coachline on the side and black on the back window. Yes it had these to mark it out from the C and CL models, But the GX and Driver models shared alot of the same look parts and interior excluding the side tape. What i ment was it did not have stuck on rear spoilers that had no engineering reason to be there, extra exhaust pipes that had no engineering reason to be there, Side skirts no engineeering reason to be there, the list goes on, infact like ford had at the time.

The GTI has always had similar looking models in its range through its lifespan, Its nothing new, The GTI only ever differed very slight in looks.

The thing is everyones saying how much the GTD looks like the GTI so what its always been like this since the 70s get over it, they have done it with every MK of the golf INCLUDING the MK5.

[Phil Mcavity]

Sad isnt it, theyre bringing out a GTD that looks the same design as the new Mk6 GTi bar the Monza's and rear difuser /exhaust being the only difference .

[RedRobin]

The thing is everyones saying how much the GTD looks like the GTI so what its always been like this since the 70s get over it, they have done it with every MK of the golf INCLUDING the MK5.

....Times are different now and what many of us are objecting to is the similarity among cars and not just Golfs or VW's. Just because something may have been done in the past doesn't mean it shouldn't ever change.

Whether in 1976 or 2009, making a GTI look not a lot different from a diesel devalues the GTI. Just as the Mk5 R32 looks like a Passat from the front -  - The .:R looks ok and the Passat looks ok but it's not ok that they look the same - I'm sick of waving a thumbs-up to Passat drivers!

[Top Cat]

 I'm sick of waving a thumbs-up to Passat drivers!

   classic

[mixit]

I think there's another good indication here of brand dilution.
The interior on the Polo has more or less identical Intelagos too. 
Its VW cashing in on the cache of the GTi. And they will continue to do so as they know it brings in sales. The MK5 Golf GT is the worst of all IMO. Debadged and from the rear, apart from tyre profile, they look identical to a GTi.

[Snoopy]

....Times are different now and what many of us are objecting to is the similarity among cars and not just Golfs or VW's. Just because something may have been done in the past doesn't mean it shouldn't ever change.

Whether in 1976 or 2009, making a GTI look not a lot different from a diesel devalues the GTI. Just as the Mk5 R32 looks like a Passat from the front -  -

Robin but i have been hearing this since the 70's!!! Times are not changing imo its always been said. Nothing has changed.
Thats one of my points i was trying to make VW has ALWAYS done this.
If you want bodykits extra spoilers lots of exhausts you had the ford, peugeot, renualt and many other makes options etc etc
Its if you will part of what makes VW, VW and part of the appeal of what is and has made the GTI what it is.
Just because this is a  site were everyone wants to modifiy does not meen that these views are the ONLY ones of GTI owners and are even the mass amount of views on it. Remember the american adverts for the mk5 GTI? VW made a joke about modifying and those type of looks of rival brands. People have complained about the dull looks and looking like other versions since the GTI first came out in the 70s but it was also part of the appeal. If someone did not buy a rival because of it and still went for the GTI they could always modify and its why there such a support out there. Hell i even still have mags from the 80s about modding mk1 GTIs for looks and performance and the original reviews of the mk1 against kitted more sporty looking rivals its looks were comented on then its nothing new.
I just remember'ed about reading the press interviews of the guys in charge of styling and in charge at VW which includes the mk6 it comes to light that even more conservative looks will be the norm from now for future models including sporty models this is because they too say times are a changing but the otherway.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Geoff, I think we may be talking slightly at cross-purposes - I'm not disagreeing with what you have posted as being the truth of the matter, but I'm only saying that I don't like it personally.

On the other hand it's great to be able to modify and individualise a GTI. I've been a creative designer all my life and don't like 'conservative' - It's a shame if VW want to make their products the same as Audi's.

[cmdrfire]

Mk6 Golf/Mk5 Polo... you can't tell the damn things apart. Needs moar Up!

[Snoopy]

^^^^
Geoff, I think we may be talking slightly at cross-purposes - I'm not disagreeing with what you have posted as being the truth of the matter, but I'm only saying that I don't like it personally.

On the other hand it's great to be able to modify and individualise a GTI. I've been a creative designer all my life and don't like 'conservative' - It's a shame if VW want to make their products the same as Audi's.

I agree Robin,  I too am not saying your wrong im right etc. You know how bad i am at getting things across in print, As you know i never meen offence.    I was simply looking at it from VW angles, Its something they have always done and makes them different to the other makes.
As always each to the own thats what the options out there to modify and also other makes doing more sporty hothatches out the gate are for. Its all personal taste and views.
I think i may have just miss-read the replies as mk5 owners complaining about the mk6 as all previous owners of the past generations do they always like to rip big time into the new kid, and maybe i was thinking they had not looked at the wider picture of it has always been this way. They always seem to forget that even when it applies just as much to there own mk.

[Lynsey]

Saw one of these GTD's on the factory tour in Wolfsburg whilst there last week - they look so much nicer in the flesh!  I wouldn't say no 

[BeezerDiesel]

Saw one of these GTD's on the factory tour in Wolfsburg whilst there last week - they look so much nicer in the flesh!  I wouldn't say no 

You're definately biased young miss.

What wheels did the ones in Wolfsburg sit on BTW? The ones on the press shots look nowhere near as good as the Charlestons IMO.

[Lynsey]

The same as the pic in the press shots.  It's a smart looking motor I have to say!  The new GTI was still in it's own league though 

Must confess, the mk6's didn't jump out at me when first seeing them here - but they've really grown on me since seeing all the better spec ones over there