After the Dieselgate scandal, Volkswagen tried to prove that it cand build eco-friendly fast vehicles and brought back the GTD version for the Golf lineup in 2013.
Four years later, it refreshed it.

A mild facelift and a few improvements made the seventh generation of the Golf appealing even after four years since its introduction. Its MQB platform was best fitted for its size, and the well-known German hatchback was still on top of the sales charts. To offer a very good performance/running cost version, Volkswagen decided to keep the GTD version on the list.

From the outside, there were just a few small changes to the car. The narrow headlights with incorporated LED daytime running lights made a good impression on the public. A lower chromed strip ran across the front fascia and passed from the grille inside the headlights. The full-LED headlamp system replaced the Xenon option on the list. In the rear, Volkswagen dropped the halogen lamps and offered the taillights fitted with LEDs.

It was the interior that was heavily modified. Volkswagen installed a 12.3” digital instrument panel, inspired by the Audi Virtual Cockpit. On the center stack, the GTD featured an infotainment display with touchscreens. It was available with screen sizes up to 9.2”. The top versions, named “Discover Pro,” featured voice controls and gesture controls.

Under the hood, Volkswagen kept the same 184 hp engine paired as standard to a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 7-speed automatic (dual-clutch) was available as an option.