► Diesel hot hatch battle royale
► Ford vs VW vs Alfa vs Seat
► It’s a torque fest with these hatches
A diesel hot hatch? No such thing, dear boy…
VW Golf GTD: Volkswagen begs to differ. In fact, it reckons it all but invented the genre with its original ‘Gran Turismo Diesel’ Golf in 1982. Same chassis as the GTI and even more torque, so all the fun without lower running costs and less guilt. In theory, anyway.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: Can’t ignore an open sales goal. Since a diesel engine was added to the ST line-up in tandem with its 2015 facelift, sales have been split an even 50:50 between the identically priced derv and petrol versions. Just don’t call it the STD. Ford doesn’t like that.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta JTDM-2: Not even Alfa, a company whose entire brand ethos is built on petrol fumes, can overlook the need for a beefy diesel in the Giulietta line-up. 2.0 JTDM-2 is actually the least hench powerplant here, but with 172bhp and 258lb ft it’s hardly anaemic.
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: On the Seat thermometer, Cupra is hot and FR is warm, but the top 2.0 TDI gets essentially the same engine as the Golf GTD. Of course, the rest of the car’s effectively a Golf too, only with a crisper-pressed suit – and a lower price tag.
All go-faster stripes and sill extensions?
VW Golf GTD: Blingy 18in wheels apart, it’s understated. Classy, even. The red grille stripe’s been switched for chrome but at 20 paces you could mistake it for a GTI – which is the intention. You still get tartan seats.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: Sneakily, Ford’s made the diesel ST look identical to the petrol one, without even a TDCi badge above its centre exhausts. And since its facelift the ST no longer looks like a guppy fish with a roof spoiler.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta JTDM-2: Either a real looker or just fussy looking, depending on how fussy you are yourself. Wheels with many spokes cover optional racy red calipers on our test car. Metallic brown paint optional, thankfully.
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: All jaunty angles and creases. LED lights are a no-cost option, while FR trim has 17in wheels and lower suspension. This one’s a 3dr SC; 5dr’s still cheaper than a Golf.
Does it actually go like a hot hatch?
VW Golf GTD: Not quite the full-fat GTI. Eight tenths, maybe. The GTD feels least diesel-ish of the quartet, delivering its torque early and very smoothly. Of course, it is a diesel, so the fun hits a glass ceiling at 4000rpm, but up to then the shove is mighty.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: Certainly gets a move on. Subjectively it feels about as quick as the Golf, but its glut of torque comes in with more of a wallop. Well-chosen gear ratios keep you right in the middle of it, but there’s little point chasing the redline.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta JTDM-2: Not slow, but sounds noisier than it feels fast. In its most potent 172bhp guise the JTDM-2 comes with a twin-clutch auto ’box, with odd-feeling ratios – there’s a huge step from third to fourth. Did they fit an extra fifth by mistake?
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: Sure does, until you venture near the top of the rev counter. Same as the other three, then. Proof again that a quick hit of diesel torque isn’t ultimately as satisfying as free-revving petrol flexibility. DSG auto ’box knocks the Alfa’s TCT for six.
Does it sound like a Massey Ferguson?
VW Golf GTD: Far from it. Best of the bunch for refinement, though Focus and Leon not far behind. VW claims 67mpg if you pick the positive-feeling, foolproof manual – we would.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: If you’re concentrating hard enough. But most of the time it’s just a smooth, indistinctly bassy note. Could easily fool your passengers. Even Stevens with GTD for mpg.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2: Worse, if anything. Less Ducati, more Fiat Ducato van. Road noise goes all the way up to 11 too. Credibly high/low mpg/CO2, though.
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: Marginally noisier than the Golf (VW must have squeezed a bit more sound deadening in), but still impressive. DSG ’box hamstrings mpg and emissions; manual on par with GTD.
What about corners? Repmobile or rally car?
VW Golf GTD: One very fine-handling car, with pull-your-face-off grip and brakes. Safe, soft-edged understeer heralds the limit. VW doesn’t offer the GTI’s line-tightening mechanical diff option. Spoilsports.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: Where the VW Group pair remain resolutely planted, the ST just wants to frolic and gambol like a 5dr gazelle. Pointy front end and a skaty rear, but ultimately always stable and secure. In the dry, anyway.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2: ‘DNA’ switch still tries to ruin the Giulietta. Dynamic mode perks up throttle response a treat but turns steering so heavy you wonder if front tyres have punctured. Secondary ride thumpy, but most heinous crime is that it doesn’t fe
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: Like the Golf, the Leon gets ‘XDS’ electronics, mimicking a limited-slip diff by nipping the inside brakes to keep you on the apex and out of the hedge. Less playful than the Focus, but still ace.
Are you sitting comfortably?
VW Golf GTD: Brilliant seats, and not just because they’re tartan. Fantastically supportive, without packing bolsters so high you can’t get out of them. Odeon-spec 8in infotainment screen a great, but pricey, option.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: Most sports seats hold you like a bear hug; the ST’s bulging thrones seem determined to spring you out of them. Maybe they’ll wear in, like the cheap trainers they resemble. Recently de-buttoned centre console all the better for it.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2: Certainly well cushioned. Seats’ bolsters so chunky the armrest jams on them, as does your hand on the B-pillar when you try to adjust them. Sockets to charge your phone, but nowhere to put it; same goes for rear passengers’ heads.
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: Plainest interior of the four, though better laid-out than the Ford and just plain better than the Alfa. Plastics noticeably cheaper than Golf. Maybe the designers weren’t allowed to tread on its toes.
Verdict
VW Golf GTD: The obvious, predictable choice. For good reason. Nasally-administered price justified by sky-high residuals, and the fact it’s so annoyingly good at everything.
Ford Focus ST TDCi: Takes itself least seriously of the cars here. No bad thing. Playful handling, monumental mid-range poke and oodles of kit for the cash. Less snooty alternative to the MQB brigade.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2: You want to like it but can’t. Below par in every measurable way – forgivable if it was overflowing with character and charm, but no. Rationally and emotionally, it misses the target.
Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI: Misses out on Golf’s nicer interior, badge smugness and sheen of premium-ness, but identical pace and equally superb chassis, space and comfort – for less cash.
The Specs
VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI 5dr manual
Price: £27,590
As tested: £31,395
Engine: 1968cc 16v turbodiesel 4-cyl, 181bhp @ 3500-4000rpm, 280lb ft @ 2500-5000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 7.5sec 0-62mph, 143mph, 67.3mpg, 109g/km CO2
Weight: 1377kg
On sale: Now
Rating: *****
Ford Focus ST-2 2.0 TDCi manual
Price: £23,995
As tested: £26,515
Engine: 1997cc, 16v turbodiesel 4-cyl, 182bhp @ 3500rpm, 295lb ft @ 2000-2750rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 8.1sec 0-62mph, 135mph, 67.3mpg, 110g/km CO2
Weight: 1464kg
On sale: Now
Rating: ****
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM-2 TCT Exclusive
Price: £25,840
As Tested: £31,610
Engine: 1956cc 16v turbodiesel 4-cyl, 172bhp @ 3750rpm, 258lb ft @ 1750rpm
Transmission: Six-speed twin-clutch semi-auto, front-wheel drive
Performance: 7.8sec 0-62mph, 135mph, 65.7mpg, 113g/km CO2
Weight: 1335kg
On sale: Now
Rating: **
Seat Leon 3dr SC FR 2.0 TDI 184PS DSG
Price: £23,870
As tested: £26,475
Engine: 1968cc 16v turbodiesel 4-cyl, 181bhp @ 3500-4000rpm, 280lb ft @ 1750rpm-3000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed twin-clutch auto, front-wheel drive
Performance: 7.4sec 0-62mph, 140mph, 62.8mpg, 119g/km CO2
Weight: 1370kg
On sale: Now
Rating: *****
