For years we've bemoaned the lack of a diesel option in the Golf range. No more. Not only is the 2010 VW Golf TDI coming to America, it'll be available with a manual, lowered sport suspension and 42 MPG highway!

The MK VI Golf will start at $17,490 for the two-door and $19,190 for the four-door when equipped with the crappy 2.5-liter five-cylinder. The TDI starts at $21,990, but helps justify that increase with a standard touchscreen audio interface with Sirius satellite radio and the afformentioned sport suspension.

The 2.0-liter turbodiesel makes 140 HP and 236 Lb/Ft - good for 0-60 MPH in 8.6 seconds - and comes with either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed DSG gearbox. Equipped with the manual, the TDI returns 30 MPG city, 41 MPG highway; equipped with the DSG, it does slightly better at 31/42 MPG, 2 MPG better than the 2009 VW Jetta TDI.

Here's the press release:

2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF:
SIMPLY PUT—THE BEST GOLF OF ALL TIMES THAT ONCE
AGAIN SETS NEW STANDARDS FOR ITS CLASS

HERNDON, VA, September 28, 2009 – For 2010, the venerable Volkswagen
Golf is ready to stand out yet again-sporting fresh, dynamic styling inside and
out. The Golf, now in its sixth generation, will be available with the highly
anticipated, athletic yet extremely fuel efficient, TDI clean diesel engine.
Available in both two and four-door models, the new Golf carries the Volkswagen
brand heritage into overdrive with proven, German-engineered performance and
refinement at affordable starting prices. The new Golf starts at $17,490 for the
two-door model, and $19,190 for the four-door version. Several options are
available to make the 2010 Golf a perfect choice for those consumers who
demand a compact car that is equipped to not only be functional when called
upon, but also looks, drives, and feels fun at the same time.
Having already been honored as the "World Car of the Year," the latest-
generation Golf promises more vigor, better usability and the best fuel economy
of any Golf to date.

Exterior
From the first glance, the 2010 Golf proudly shows off the new "face" of the
Volkswagen brand with an all-new front end design that includes a wider, double-
bar grille that blends into angled halogen headlamps for a sportier visage (High
Intensity Gas-discharged Xenon headlamps are available as an option on the
TDI model). The body-colored bumper sits above a revised lower front fascia
featuring a wide-mouthed cooling duct. Crystalline oval fog lamps complete the front fascia on TDI models. These elements, combined with the Golf's wider
appearance give the hatchback a more commanding road presence.
Black window trim and the absence of side moldings keep things simple
along the sides, for a cleaner look that remains pleasing to the eye. Heading to
the rear, a hatch spoiler with integrated third brake light sits atop the hatch and is
painted to match the rest of the body while touching on the Golf's sporty
capabilities. Updated taillights mimic their counterparts from up front, and feature
integrated clear turn signal and reverse indicators along the bottom edge.
Running lights are blended into the lower rear bumper which adds a blacked out
insert and a cutout for a pair of exhaust tips.

Engine and Transmission
The 2010 Golf will be available with the choice of two engines, customers
can choose a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine, or the 50-state
compliant, 2.0-liter four-cylinder clean diesel TDI engine.
The standard 2.5L engine puts out a very usable 170 horsepower at 5,700
rpm, and a potent 177 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. The 2.5L features an
aluminum alloy cross flow head with four valves per cylinder, double overhead
camshafts, maintenance-free hydraulic lifters, and Motronic® sequential multi-port
fuel injection.
A five-speed manual transmission comes standard on the two-door model,
and a six-speed automatic gearbox with Tiptronic® control is standard on the
four-door, which allows drivers to shift manually with an up or down push of the
gear lever. The manual transmission with the 2.5L engine results in a quick zero
to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, and rewards drivers with a return of 22 mpg in the
city, and 30 mpg on the highway. Drivers who option their Golf with the six-speed
automatic transmission can enjoy 23 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg for highway
travel, and an 8.1 second run to 60 mph from a standstill.
For drivers that desire a fuel-sipping compact that emits 25 percent less
greenhouse gas and achieves more than 30 percent better fuel economy
compared to a similar gasoline engine, the 2010 Golf equipped with the 2.0L
clean diesel TDI engine is more than up to the task. Available in both two-door
and four-door models, the Golf TDI is marked by its fusion of German-tuned
performance and impressive fuel economy – compliments of an advanced
electronically-controlled turbocharger and the electronically-controlled direct
injection fuel system. The valve train consists of a single overhead camshaft, four
valves per cylinder and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters for added piece of
mind. All combined, the 2.0L powerhouse produces 140 horsepower at 4,000
rpm, and an impressive 236 lbs.-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm.
To deliver all that power to the road smoothly, a traditional six-speed
manual transmission comes standard on the clean diesel TDI, and is good for an
EPA-estimated 30 mpg during city travel, 41 mpg on the highway, and zero to 60
mph time of 8.6 seconds. Drivers can also go for the optional six-speed
automatic Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG®) transmission with Tiptronic, and have the
performance of a manual gearbox with the effortless precision of an automatic
transmission. The DSG uses an automated dual-clutch system that instantly
engages and disengages gears without the need for a driver-activated clutch
pedal. A computer engages one clutch on the next gear needed, just as the
clutch from the previous gear is released. Each resulting shift is quick yet
smooth, and lacks the power loss that occurs when using a traditional manual
transmission. Tiptronic mode stops the transmission's automated shifting and
instead lets the driver control gear changes by either tapping the gearshift lever
up or down, or using the shift paddles mounted to the steering wheel. With the
DSG transmission, the Golf clean diesel TDI models provide 30 mpg in the city
and 42 mpg on the highway, as well as an 8.6 second sprint from zero to 60
mph.

Chassis and Suspension
The new Golf yearns to be driven and inspires drivers with the confidence
to do so with the utmost of ease and comfort, whether cruising along the
highways, or taking on the twists and turns of country roads. At its core is a laser-
welded unibody construction that remains stiff and helps keep everything in line
as the Golf zips along. At the front, a fully independent suspension with
McPherson struts and an anti-roll bar comes standard on the 2.5L models, while
the TDI models include an updated sport suspension for improved road-hugging
dynamics. Moving to the rear, a fully independent four-link arrangement with coil
springs, telescopic shocks and another stabilizer bar keep the Golf agile yet
rider-friendly in most any driving situation.
Steering is enhanced with an electro-mechanical, variably-assisted, power
rack-and-pinion system that, when combined with a quick ratio, gives an
unprecedented level of control and accuracy in the corners and out on the
straights. Bringing the Golf to a halt are power assisted four wheel disc brakes,
with vented rotors at the front and solid rotors at the rear and the safety of an
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The advanced braking system works
seamlessly with the car's Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) that includes a
collection of traction and safety features such as Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR),
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), and Electronic
Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD).

Interior
On the inside, the latest Golf carries its refinement throughout with a variety
of stylish additions that will aim to keep drivers and passengers comfortable and
pleased. All models start out with eight-way manually adjustable sports seats at
the front, which include two-way adjustable lumbar support, and adjustable head
restraints. The rear seats include adjustable head restraints for all seating
positions, a center armrest, and have 60/40 split folding capability for maximizing
cargo space when needed. Both the front and rear seats come standard with
Volkswagen's "Me2" cloth fabric. Heated seats are available as an option on all
2010 Golf models with the cold weather package, which also adds convenient
heated windshield washer nozzles. At the helm, the updated three-spoke
steering wheel features an embossed center section, and is upgraded to a
leather-wrapped version with multifunction controls on TDI models.
Brushed metallic appearance trim inserts are standard on the dash and in
the door panels of all Golf models, and accent the redesigned instrument panel
and center console. Chrome trim surrounds the tachometer on the left side,
which incorporates an integrated temperature gauge, and the speedometer on
the right, has an integrated fuel gauge. Located between the black analog
gauges is a multi-function onboard computer display that provides the driver with
key information regarding the selected gear, fuel mileage, odometer, and more.
Up top, a full power sunroof can be ordered on all Golf models.
The HVAC system controls are handled by a more ergonomic arrangement
of knobs and buttons versus the more traditional dial and button layout,
complimenting the different stereo and navigation systems available. Standard
on the 2.5L models is an eight-speaker AM/FM radio system with single-disc CD
player, MP3 CD readability, and an auxiliary input jack for connecting portable
media players. All TDI models come standard with a touch-screen 8-speaker
sound system featuring an AM/FM/Sirius™ satellite radio, in-dash six-disc CD
changer with MP3 CD readability, theft deterrence, and an auxiliary input jack.
Mobile Device Interface (MDI) is also standard with the TDI model. For
audiophiles, the crystal clear 300W Dynaudio Lite premium sound system is
available as an option for TDI models, while Bluetooth™ connectivity, for hands-
free calling with a paired mobile phone, is an option on all 2010 Golf models.
The Golf TDI can be ordered with the new touch-screen navigation system
with a 6.5" high resolution display, integrated 30GB hard drive (10GB for
navigation, 20GB for audio), WMA / MP3 audio CD playback, DVD playback, an
SD memory card slot and a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack in the center console. The
system provides both visual and audible commands through the center console
display, as well as the digital display located in the instrument cluster.

Active and Passive Safety
The new Golf upholds Volkswagen's full-line promise of riding protection for
drivers and passengers alike, and includes the Prevent and Preserve Safety
System with 40 different standard features that all work together to help avoid
accidents whenever possible and help protect occupants when an accident is
unavoidable. These include six airbags (dual front, dual front side thorax, and
side curtains), optimized front head restraints, front seatbelt pretensioners with
load limiters, three-point safety belts in all five seating positions (two front and
three rear) with emergency locking retractors, and more. Four-door Golf models
also offer the option of having rear side thorax airbags for outboard passengers.
In addition to the above standout safety items, the 2010 Golf, like all 2010
Volkswagen models, comes with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP®) as
standard equipment, ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration's (NHTSA) mandate that by 2012, all vehicles produced will need
to include some form of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). According to NHTSA,
having ESC in a vehicle results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and
30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen's ESP
compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual direction. If a
discrepancy is detected, ESP automatically brakes individual front or rear wheels
and/or reduces engine power as needed to help maintain directional control.

Warranty
The 2010 Golf comes standard with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for three
years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first), plus the following new vehicle
warranties:
• Five-year / 60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
• Three-year / 36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Warranty
• 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation
The Golf, like all 2010 model year Volkswagens, is included in the no-
charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program, all of the Golf's
scheduled maintenance, as described in the maintenance booklet, is covered for
the length of the New Vehicle Warranty – three years or 36,000 miles, whichever
occurs first. Additionally, all current Volkswagens, including the Golf, use
synthetic oil, which, when combined with state-of-the-art German engineering,
eliminates the need for a 5,000 mile oil change. This ultimately allows for all
current Volkswagen owners to driver farther between scheduled oil changes.

Send an email to Wes Siler, the author of this post, at wes@jalopnik.com.