VW Golf 1.9 TDI 

Volkswagen can justifiably claim to be one of the pioneers of the diesel concept in light passenger cars.Apart from the odd rumbling Mercedes and Peugeot 403, the Golf was the first people mover to seriously offer oil-burning as an alternative to petrol.

In the late '70s, the Mk I Golf diesel carved a small but loyal niche for itself, both abroad and in South Africa. Like many good ideas, however, the model was ahead of its time, especially as its 1.5-litre performance was way below par when measured against that of petrol-driven equivalents. But, because of the spiraling fuel price and the advent of the 4x4 market which has given diesel power a sense of legitimacy, Joe and Josephine Public can no longer turn up their noses at the sound of typical diesel clatter…

CONCEPT * * * * *

Volkswagen’s timing of the launch of the Golf TDI couldn’t have been better. Diesels have always been economical and the introduction of the model in September coincided with news of hor­rific fuel price increases and the looming possibil­ity that petrol would cost over R3 a litre in the not too distant future. Since 1989, VW has plugged away at its direct injection turbo-charged diesel powerplant and this design, light years ahead of the old swirl-chamber, naturally-aspirated unit in terms of its ability to produce petrol-equivalent horsepower figures, has made diesel a realistic alternative, even for performance-orientated motorists.

VW has not been alone in offering excellent turbo-diesel variants, but it is the first company to take the plunge here in the medium-price pas­senger market. The genius of the initiative is that the company is not offering the oil-burning Golf as a cut-price clunker, but as a high-spec high-performer.

PERFORMANCE * * * * *

When you are paying GTI prices for a car, you expect a level of performance that won’t embarrass you - no matter how smug you feel when you flash by the fuel station with half a tankful of gas still registering on the gauge. The TDI Highline won’t live with a petrol-fueled GTI turbo when it comes to putting pedal to metal, but it is impressively close to some major contenders in the hot hatch market. Get some boost wound up on the turbo, ease out the clutch while simultaneously planting the loud pedal and you will probably leave a cloud of rubber behind your otherwise smoke-free TDI. Snatch second and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you run up to the red line. And you’ll stay amazed as the 1.9-litre diesel keeps on hooking the power band and heading for the limiter in all five gears.

Get it all right and the 0-100km/h time flashes up in 10.99 seconds at Gauteng altitude, just three tenths off VW's claimed coastal figure of 10.6 seconds. Hang in there on the drive-by-wire throttle system and the 1000 metre mark is dealt with 32.60 seconds after blast-off. If you keep your foot buried in fifth, speed tops out at 193.5km/h.

Fuel consumption is just as impressive. Driving the car absolutely flat out we achieved a worst fig­ure of 8.8 l/100km while, in a mix of spirited town driving and slightly more responsible highway hauling, we logged 7.2 l/100km.At a steady 80km/h we achieved a figure of 4.469 l/100km, which gives the car a theoretical range of 1230km.At 120, Gerotek’s fuel flow metre logged 6.149 l/100km. By the way, the 80km/h figure is the lowest that Drive has recorded on a four-wheeled machine.

RIDE, HANDLING * * * *

The GTI is the handling king in South Africa and the TDI uses basically the same set-up, with the exception of a slightly higher ride-height and more supple springs, as it doesn’t get the sports suspension package fitted to the GTI. The tasty Avus 15-inch alloys are also one inch smaller in diameter than GTI rims. Nevertheless, the TDI handles like a thoroughbred sports hatch, with responsive steering that kicks back to com­municate road irregularities, but which never over reacts. The car turns in with a measure of precision and weight, loading up in proportion to the amount of force generated by those front 195/65 V­-rated tyres. Body roll is well contained and excellent high frequency damper control provides a classy, qualitative ride.

ACCOMMODATION * * * *

The only real criticism we heard during our tenure with the TDI was that the styling of the interior was perhaps a bit too conservative. It depends on your perspective, but the quality of fit and materials used is in BMW class. What’s more, the model has an almost endless list of standard-fit equipment. Most notable among the items are passenger and driver air bags, a computer; blue panel lighting and leather-trimmed steering wheel. Sound equipment is stock, as is power steering and air-con.

DRIVER APPEAL * * * *

The Golf is one of the most inspiring cars we’ve tested this year, simply because it’s so damned quick for a diesel. The way the power band - useable between 2000 and 4500 revs/min - is matched to gear ratios encourages the car to be driven at full boost wherever it can.

There is possibly even less lag than there is on the petrol-engined turbo Golf while controls make the car one that rewards the driver with an end­less stream of communication. The only time you really know the TDI is a diesel is when you return to idle speed, or when you pull up at the pumps.

VERDICT * * * *

Volkswagen has reinvented the diesel concept with this car, a pocket rock­et that’s so light on the pocket it makes you light-headed. Service inter­vals are another coup, set at 15000km against the 5000km of most diesel-driven units. At R136000 or thereabouts the Golf TDI is not cheap, but quality is exemplary. We have no hesitation in awarding it a five star rating.
 
WE LIKE:      Amazing performance, fuel consumption

WE DON'T:   Umm, maybe the price

VERDICT:     Absolutely fabulous

VIEWPOINTS: ADRIAN BURFORD

You can’t help but be impressed by the Golf diesel - no matter how pre­conceived your ideas are regarding diesel-powered passenger cars.

Sure, it doesn’t idle like a Lexus LS400, and it smells a tad oily if you’re loading through the hatch with the engine running, but it has a turn of speed which is startling at first, and just plain satisfying thereafter.

It has mid-range punch that is almost indecent and, for everyday motoring, it has to have one of the best torque curve/gear ratio matches that I’ve come across. Add to that the virtues of the latest Golf, and you have the makings of a mighty fine hatch.

Best of all, the TDI seems to go forever. If a trip to fuel station seems like wasted time to you, then this has to be the way to fly.

VIEWPOINTS: WYNTER MURDOCH

The road ahead is wide, flat, straight and empty. I watch the TDi’s speedometer as the needle begins to arc from its indicated 120km/h towards 150, then 160.

Immediately, revs begin to rise and the speedo needle climbs to indicate 180, then 190, then onto 195, finally resting at about 199. At this stage the engine is spinning just shy of its rev limit, but the car won’t go faster.

It’s reached V-max on this particular stretch of road. True speed is 193.5km/h, according to Drive's road test data. That’s fast. For a diesel powered unit, it’s astonishing. Try the car. If it doesn’t change the way you think about diesels, nothing will.