Vivid send-off for Volkswagen Golf R

The Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf R will make way for an all-new all-wheel drive hot hatch (based on the next-generation Mk8 Golf hatch due here late this year, including the new Golf GTI due to debut at Geneva in March) that will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

To celebrate the end of the existing VW Golf R before it’s replaced here next year, Volkswagen Australia has announced 450 examples of a Final Edition version featuring a number of cosmetic and equipment enhancements and due for delivery from May.

Biggest news is that 150 of them will also wear three previously unavailable hand-applied Custom Concept paint colours, which are applied in a specialised factory shop before the car is returned to the assembly line for completion.

Violet Touch (purple, pictured below), Victory Blue and Green metallic (a homage to the discontinued Scirocco R, pictured at bottom) will add just $300 to the price of the Volkswagen Golf R Final Edition ($57,990 plus on-road costs).

The three vivid new Golf R hues are among the 40 special Spektrum Program colours made available from the 2019 model year in the US, where they cost $US2500 extra.

The remainder of Australia’s allocation of Final Editions will be offered in familiar Pure White, Lapiz Blue and Deep Black at no extra charge.

Colour aside, the all Golf R Final Edition vehicles come with 19-inch black Pretoria alloy wheels, gloss-black side mirrors, Carbon Nappa leather-appointed upholstery and an upgraded Dynaudio sound.

A panoramic glass sunroof will be the only option, for $1900.

The standard Volkswagen Golf R continues to be available, priced at $55,490 and fitted as standard with a sports body kit, LED headlights with cornering lamps, heated front seats, power driver’s seat adjustment, dark-tinted rear glass, metallic or pearl-effect paint and a 9.2-inch infotainment touch-screen with satellite navigation and voice and gesture control.

All Golf Rs come with a 213kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive, and all Volkswagen models come with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Volkswagen says the Golf R is Australia's most successful compact performance car, accounting for 14 per cent of the 14,335 Golf hatchbacks and wagons it sold in 2019, with 2035 sales (333 of which were wagons).

“No other mass volume manufacturer could offer such a bespoke finish,” said Volkswagen Group Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer.

“As ever with Golf R special editions, we've added value for as small a premium as possible over the standard R.”