Over the next few years there will be a number of diesel-powered cars launching in America. Volkswagen has already sent test cars to the States to gauge the feedback and also build some hype. The Golf GTD, known in the U.S. as the VW GTD, is among these models. As the diesel version of the Golf GTi, the GTD has a lot to offer in terms of performance, economy, practicality, and style.

So MotorTrend’s Carlos Lago grabbed the keys and went to see what’s what:

The most important conceptual component of the Volkswagen Golf GTD is the common rail TDI with 170 PS being used in this model series for the first time. The maximum power of the GTD engine lies at 4,200 rpm. Between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm is where the engine – as sporty as it is economical – develops its maximum torque of 350 Newton-meters. MT says they averaged 36 US MPG in this engine, which is quite impressive.