I think as an Austrian Iīm really qualified to place my input here! (Austria and Gemany have the highest Diesel percentage in the world!)
So: You accelerate with performance (BHP)! Not with torque!!! Only the VW-Audi lobby still postulates the contradictionary roumors.
Not knowing the figures Iīd bet my ass that Dunkyboy's GTI had NO chance against a ST. (not even mentioning the handling! The Golf-V is the first Golf which can be seriously quick in corners. The ones prior to the V had a ridiculous handling)
Torque is just a figure. Knowing both, BHP and NM, sure it gives an idea of the engineīs behavior, but thatīs it.
Nice example: Seat Altea:
140 Diesel BHP, 320 NM takes 9,9 sec till 60 MPH
150 Petrol BHP, 200 NM takes 9,6 sec till 60 MPH
any questions?? Just 7% more BHP, but about 50% less NM though 0,3 sec (which is a lot!) faster.
Ok, so coming back to GTI vs.ST - both have the same BHP. The GTIīs much more of NM could compensate the more of weight, so maybe it would be an open match. But when handling comes into play... :-)
Regards!
reach