That is what you get exactly in performance diesel in that it might not be a true hot hatch but it is still entertainingly fast with that lovely torque rush which once you are totally in tune with the car and how it delivers it's performance you ride that wave innately - definitely drive it differently than would a petrol in how get the performance.
As my engines loosened up I found the revs you can take the accelleration up to increases before needing to change.
Not much will embarrass you on a road still and I would not call having a Porsche Boxter blast by an embarrassment as not anything I would pitch GTD at.
The point here is they are cars that you can cover round in quite quickly without having to try too hard - they are typically very relaxed, if relatively uninvolving, cars to drive cross country.
Frankly, I find the power delivery (of turbo diesels) quite dull compared to a (especially normally aspirated) petrol engine; however, for my requirements, a well equipped, comfortable company car with low emissions and reasonable performance that, when I have the opportunity to press on cross country, will offer enough entertainment then I think there's little to beat the GTD.
If you are looking for a performance car, then look elsewhere... for similar or (significantly) less money you could buy some serious performance... but, there's always a compromise... fuel consumption is one which, if you do a lot of miles, could be significant...