Special-edition $125,000 Volkswagen Golf R ‘333’ sold out in eight minutes

The most expensive Volkswagen Golf hatchback ever to make it to showrooms – the limited edition Golf R ‘333’ hot hatch – has sold out despite its eye-watering price.

The Volkswagen Golf R ‘333’ – so named because its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine has been bumped to 333 horsepower (245kW), and which will be limited to 333 examples in Europe – is priced from €76,410 ($AU124,000).

That’s two-and-a-half times the price of a standard Golf in Germany, dearer than a Porsche 718 Cayman (€63,945), and nearly as expensive as the next fastest Porsche model, the Cayman S (€77,035).

While many enthusiasts and motoring media were scratching their heads at the price of the limited-edition Golf R, Volkswagen has since announced all 333 examples were snapped up in only eight minutes.

The Europe-only model is distinguished by yellow paint, black and carbon-fibre accents, and almost every feature optional on other Golf Rs is fitted as standard equipment.

Many of the extras come from last year’s Golf R 20 Years edition – including a more powerful engine – which is due in Australia next month, in a limited batch of 50 cars priced from $77,490 plus on-road costs.

On paper, it is significantly more expensive than a regular Volkswagen Golf R in Australia, which will cost $68,990 plus on-road costs from July 1, or €42,000 in European currency.

But once European taxes are added, the same vehicle in Germany would cost €68,000 ($AU110,000) – and ticking every option box would push the cost beyond €73,000 ($AU120,000), much closer to the special edition’s price.

The 333 in the model name and production number refers to the engine, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder developing 333 metric horsepower (245kW) and 420Nm.

It is shared with the 20 Years edition and is claimed to be capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds – 0.2sec quicker than the standard 235kW/400Nm model in Australia.

Power continues to be sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 333 Limited Edition shares the 20 Years’ turbo pre-loading system claimed to improve acceleration on the move, plus a feature that keeps the throttle open “when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator and then accelerates again … [for] faster build-up of the engine torque.”

Lime Yellow Metallic paint appears for the first time on a Golf R with the special edition, combined with a black roof, black 19-inch Estoril wheels, black mirror caps, blue badges, and ‘333’ decals on the doors.

Inside, there are real carbon-fibre accents on the dashboard, and a numbered badge for each vehicle.

Items taken from the European options list include semi-slick track-day tyres, an Akrapovic titanium sports exhaust system (a €4180 option on the standard car), nappa leather seats, matrix LED headlights, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, and a full suite of advanced safety technology.

It is based on Europe’s Golf R Performance model, so it receives the R Performance pack with a torque-vectoring rear differential, Drift and Special modes, a 270km/h top speed, and a larger rear spoiler.

All of these features optional in Europe – except the Akrapovic exhaust and semi-slick tyres – are standard in Europe on the $68,990 regular Golf R.

With all 333 planned examples sold out within orders opening in Germany on Friday 2 June, production of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 333 Limited Edition is due to occur in September 2023 ahead of deliveries in October.

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