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February 1, 2022
Test Drive: The New Volkswagen Golf TDI – For Those Who Cherish the Joy of Driving | Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf TDI
Test Drive: The New Volkswagen Golf TDI
The TDI, equipped with a 2-liter clean diesel engine, has been added to the lineup of the 8th generation Volkswagen Golf, which was released in June 2021. We immediately took it for a test drive to experience the performance of the new Golf with its new-generation diesel engine.
Text by FUMIO Ogawa | Photographs by HIROHIKO Mochizuki
A Distinct Character, Different from Gasoline Models
The diesel model, the Golf TDI, has been set for the new Volkswagen Golf and was announced in Japan on December 22, 2021. Following the previous model which was released in 2019, our impression is that it is powerful, surprisingly quiet, and possesses a distinct character different from the gasoline models.
Diesel models of the Golf have been available since 2019 in the previous generation. Generally, diesel engines, as enthusiasts know, offer advantages such as easy handling due to strong torque from low RPMs, relatively good fuel economy, and lower fuel costs compared to gasoline.
At the time of the test drive, we also drove the Golf GTI, the most powerful model in the current lineup, during the same period. Initially, I worried that the diesel might not measure up, but that was unfounded. It is a remarkably impressive car.
In conclusion, who would this car be recommended for? First and foremost, those who prefer a car with a sense of power – that is, strong torque from low RPMs and acceleration that responds instantly to throttle input.
Furthermore, the Golf TDI seems ideal for those who frequently undertake long journeys. On the highway, its mid-range acceleration – the responsiveness when accelerating from cruising speed – is excellent, and the engine noise and wind noise have been skillfully tuned to avoid being intrusive.
The new TDI is powered by a 1,968cc four-cylinder engine. To get a bit technical, this engine's VW code is "EA288evo." As the "evo" suggests, it is an improved version of the "EA288" introduced in August 2019 for the previous Golf 7.
It produces a maximum output of 110 kW (150 PS) and a maximum torque of 360 Nm. While the output figures are the same, the torque has increased by 20 Nm compared to the previous model. According to Volkswagen, this is due to the adoption of high-pressure injectors for fuel injection.
The new engine's advantages also include improved responsiveness, reduced NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions, and suppressed noise, leading to a lower environmental impact. Fuel efficiency has also improved from the previous 18.9 km/liter to 20.0 km/liter.
Incidentally, it is fundamentally the same engine used in the Audi A4 TDI introduced in Japan in January 2021 by Audi Japan. However, the Audi features a mild-hybrid system and a longitudinally mounted engine. The Golf TDI has a transversely mounted diesel engine and is front-wheel drive, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.