Fans of the Golf R, a machine generally accepted as being the most serious car … in the world, will have the chance to jazz up their ride with VW’s Spektrum Program, now available on the Golf R.
The program will allow customers to choose from 40 custom order colors in addition to the five standard colors. Price for such largesse? $2,500.
Your author is of the firm belief VW’s Golf R is, while an outstandingly capable machine, like dating a really hot woman … but you know she’s totally not into you. Colder than Hoth, the Golf R seemed perpetually annoyed at my attempts to have a bit of fun.
“NEIN, NEIN, NEIN! DO NOT DRIVE MIT YOUR CLOWN SHOES ON, ENGLISHMAN!” it seemed to perpetually shout at me, all the while flinging me towards 60 mph with all-wheel-drive élan. The Golf R is a fantastic machine, but remained several degrees too cold for this driver.
The Spektrum Program should fix that. Available hues range from Nogaro Blue Pearl and Violet Touch, to Caribbean Green and Copper Orange. It’ll definitely give the R a boost in the personality department. My pick is Viper Green, a shade originally found on the European Mk 3 Scirocco before appearing on buff book covers by way of the Lamborghini Huracán.
VW dweebs will be delighted to learn the company is offering a few historical colors among the 40 choices. Deep Blue Pearl was found on the Mk 4 and Mk 5 R32, Ginster Yellow showed up on the 1997 Driver’s Edition GTI, and Mars Red appeared on the Mk 1 GTI. Drivers with no sense of adventure or style can continue selecting from the existing palette of five colors, most of which are shades of grey.
A build tool will soon be live on VW’s website [www.vw.com], where those with too much time customers can try out all 40 hues while spinning the vehicle on a 360-degree camera. Dealers will get a sample kit with paint shop-quality color cards to help shoppers pick their poison. After submitting an order, the build and delivery time will be eight to sixteen weeks.
The Golf R currently bears a starting MSRP of $39,785. Options include an $1,100 DSG transmission and a myriad of accessories like floor mats and trunk liners. I know where I’d rather put my money. #ViperGreen
[Images: Volkswagen]
$2,500 is downright cheap.
Earl Sheib “I can paint any car for $99.95”
now… can they do this for Mustang?
Finally! I never got why Canada had this option but we didn’t. I know my friend who bought an 18 R would’ve paid for this.
I just wonder what the uptake rate on this actually is in Canada. We tend to have less and spend less is my impression. The rate is obviously high enough that they decided to offer it in the US but…15%? 10? I looked at this when ordering my R and turned it down as the classic bright blue felt right enough – flash but not too flash.
Curious as well and odd that they are doing this at the end of the MK7 life cycle. I guess it adds a little more flare which I am thankful for.
Lapiz Blue is awesome and classic color.
Canada is a big country so I won’t pretend that this applies everywhere, but where I live in southern NB (on the east coast, just north of Maine) I’ve never seen one with optional paint in the wild. The Lapiz Blue makes up probably 75% of the Rs around here.
I am seriously considering buying an R next year and one of the questions I’m asking myself is ‘is the cost worth it?’ I tend to flip cars on a three-year cycle so that cost would have to be amortized over 36 months for me. But a purple R hasn’t been ruled out entirely. That and a “Barney” personalized plate. Or not on the plate…
I can’t believe there are only 5 standard colors.
Agreed. No $0 brown? Why would I pay $2500 for brown?
Not enough teal for me to consider it, sorry VW.
I really wish every manufacturer would do this for all vehicles. A base colour pallet for no charge, that is stocked at dealers, and almost any colour you can imagine available for an extra fee when special ordering.
I really hope this catches on. Tired of the fact that the only cars that seem to come in colors beyond white, silver or black are either very cheap and aimed at the very young, or very expensive and each car is custom made.
So if I want a Harlequin Golf R, does each panel count as a separately ordered color?
I came to say the same thing. As soon as I saw the phrase “historical colours” I CTRL+F’d for it.
Spectrum Is Green!
I hope they offer it in “buy-it-off-the-lot-burgundy”.
This is the best news I’ve heard all day! I hope it catches on and spreads down the line. A cool color and long warranty are two of the three or four things I’d want to consider another VW.
I’ve looked at VW’s Euro sites and gawked at all the colors they offer throughout the line. Marvelous!
Though I drive a white car now, it’s because I didn’t want midnight blue or blood-bruise red. But I was also proud to own a lime-green New Beetle, so…
Har-le-QUIN!
Har-le-QUIN!
Har-le-QUIN!
Everybody now….
Har-le-QUIN!
Har-le-QUIN!
Har-le-QUIN!!!