GTI/GTD: An interesting question.

This has been on my mind for some time. What is the future of Hot hatches? Recent offerings have indicated there is somewhat a shift occurring in the market. Primarily exemplified by the new paddle shift turbocharged Clio 200.

The Clio however is not of relevance at this point. I am referring to an alternate line of hot hatches that has made a slow but sure rise to prominence in the marketplace. The mk7 Golf GTD was unleashed with a bloating power figure of 181bhp. Thats around 40 (give or take the performance package) less than the GTI. Bearing in mind that the GTI doesn't come as standard with that clever E-differential, the interesting question is thus. How much less car is the 181bhp GTD than the 217bhp (ish) GTI?

The figures make a case. A 40-50bhp trade of for MPG figures of 60mpg and up. A 10-15% power shrug for a 30-40% increase in economy. Furthermore the GTD packs a 280ib/ft Torque figure, besting the GTI by about 30%. 

A translation into english is appropriate I think. The GTD is slightly less powerful, a wedge more punchy at mid range speed and a lump more economical. Handling may differ but I suspect the VW wizards haven't made the GTD loose out too much on par with its higher pedigree stablemate, especially with a worryingly close price range (the GTI hitting the north side of 25k and the GTD the south).

My money would be on the oil burner to be honest and I would take great pleasure in lunching GTIs in the 30-60 sprint of a motorway onramp. 

What epic sleeper cars do you think are hiding amongst the mediocre ranges of the automotive world?

P.S A friend of mine had a year and a half experience of a Seat Ibiza FR TDI which proved to be both wonderfully economical and massively punchy. Incidentally he's now swapped it for a EP3 Type R. Swings and roundabouts.