Interesting comment from German forum on the GTD....

[Sootchucker]

Was browsing over at Motor Talk.de (just to see if there was any concrete information on when they would start getting their GTD's delivered), and came across this comment:

"I was again today with my brother who works for VW in Wolfsburg. One of his service technicians just came back from the course on the GTI / GTD and where he could test the GTD / GTI and was trained on it technically. He was absolutely thrilled with the S & S (Sight and Sound) package and said that with the sound actuator, the GTD sounds more like a V8, and also significantly better than the GTI!"

I know the sound is artificial, but as we don't get the "Sight and Sound" package in the UK (as may parts of it are standard fitment), does anyone know if the exhaust sound actuator will be standard fitment here ?

[AAddict]

I don't know, but I would guess yes. I think the older 170 engined cars have it, well the Scirocco does for sure.

[OF1]

I'd never heard of this before. Sounds brilliant.

So does this mean the GTD will have some sort of exhaust to make it sound really meaty?

[Sootchucker]

Not really an exhaust par se, it's a sound generator that artificially creates the sound in the cabin. VW have been using them for some time.

[Gryzor]

I'd never heard of this before. Sounds brilliant.

So does this mean the GTD will have some sort of exhaust to make it sound really meaty?

No, just potentially a box of tricks and sound piped into the cabin to make it sound artificially "better".  Never mind how it sounds from the outside to passers-by...   

[monkeyhanger]

Norbreck: The actuator is standard on the 170TDI Scirocco, can't see why they would leave it off the GTD. It does sound great, my dad described it as "growly" when he first had a go in my car.

[monkeyhanger]

I'd never heard of this before. Sounds brilliant.

So does this mean the GTD will have some sort of exhaust to make it sound really meaty?

No, just potentially a box of tricks and sound piped into the cabin to make it sound artificially "better".  Never mind how it sounds from the outside to passers-by...   

I wish it sounded the same on the outside as it does on the inside. The 140TDI scirocco sounds like a bag of hammers in comparison, but they both sound the same on the outside! 

[Valenni]

This sounds like it's true. The new LEON FR TDI has whats called a 'sound actuator' which sends a 'GTI' like sound through the speakers to give the impression that your not driving an oil burner.

[Hawaii-Five-O]

Trouble is we'll still sound like a Massey Ferguson when we pull up at a set of lights

[OF1]

Is it sad that because of this sound device i'm actually looking forward to car even more?

I'm a sucker for (Fake) engine noises.