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- Volkswagen unveiled its GTI 333 special model only a couple of weeks ago.
- The car was built for the German market only and is limited to 333 models.
- At more than R1.5 million, the most expensive Golf ever flew off showroom floors.
In 2022, Volkswagen unleashed a limited-edition Golf R 20 Year anniversary model. Sadly, because of the Golf 8 GTI and R's delayed arrival in South Africa, we weren't even considered an allocation for the Golf R 20-year edition.
This 20-year model was introduced to global markets with a price tag of about R1.1 million at the time. A year later, the German automaker unveiled another limited-edition model, almost identical to the 20 Years' car, with a price tag of about R1 562 000 at the time of publication.
However, considering the VW Golf R sells for almost one bar with additional options locally, it's not really that much more expensive. But imagine what South Africans would have had to pay for the 333 special model had it come our way - it would probably be more than R2 million.
READ | Ruler of the ‘Ring: Why SA might miss out on the ’20 Years’ edition - the fastest Golf R yet
The GTI 333 special model is exclusively built for the German market. When order books opened at German dealerships just a few days ago, on 2 June, it was sold out in eight minutes, as revealed by Volkswagen Head of Product Communications, Stefan Voswinkel, on his LinkedIn profile.
Undoubtedly, the VW Golf GTI is one of the most popular cars on the planet, perhaps closely followed by the Toyota Corolla or vice versa. The fact that 333 cars were grabbed so fast and at such an absurd price, it's clear the cult status of the GTI never died down. Still, its popularity is unfathomable. Perhaps it's because the Golf 8 GTI is the "last of the Mohicans", and the next performance Golf we'll see will most probably be electric.
Volkswagen says the special-edition model limited to 333 vehicles is based on the Golf R Performance and packs a real punch with an output of 333 PS (245kW) - hence its name. The car's driving stability and traction in the all-wheel-drive model are ensured by features such as R-Performance Torque Vectoring, including Vehicle Dynamics Manager.
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It comes in an eye-catching Lime Yellow Metallic paint and also features black accents underlining the appearance of the special-edition model, which will surely be a collector's item. The first vehicles will be delivered in October this year.
Hakim Halimi, Head of Product Marketing at Volkswagen R, says the Golf R 333 is the first R model with a specification predefined by VW, leaving no customer wishes regarding performance unfulfilled. "Thanks to its extensive equipment, which distributes the drive power not just between the front and rear axles but also between the two rear wheels. This offers a special dimension of sportiness, particularly when cornering.
"The Drift and Special driving profiles, designed for the Nürburgring racetrack, also offer additional driving pleasure away from public roads. The R Performance exhaust system from Akrapovic with titanium rear silencers and black 19-inch Estoril wheel rims with semi-slick tyres additionally highlight the motorsports character of the special-edition model. The top speed has also been increased to 270km/h."
The GTI 333 is the most potent Golf with 420Nm. In addition, the optimised engine tuning means that the load change response is highly spontaneous, says VW. The turbocharger is preloaded to keep it at a constant speed during partial-load driving. This then allows faster power development for subsequent acceleration. The open throttle valve in overrun phases also improves dynamics and performance on the road. When the driver takes their foot off the accelerator and then accelerates again, this allows a faster build-up of the engine torque and noticeably improves the engine's responsiveness. It blasts from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds.
Halimi also says the special exterior colour, black-painted roof, and design decals with the 333 logo on the sides make this Golf R a unique combination. "It is the first Volkswagen R model with a strict limitation to 333 units and a sequentially numbered badge in the interior."
