Even though it’s been replaced by a faster, more advanced model, the Mk7 generation of the Volkswagen Golf R is turning into a classic. Available as a 3- or a 5-door hatchback, the Golf 7 R was introduced for 2014MY as a high-performance German hot hatch. Examples in excellent condition as still fetching $30,000. However, one special Golf 7 R just set an auction record of $62,000 on Bring A Trailer.
It’s the most expensive Mk7 Golf R ever sold, beating the previous record of $52,000 set in 2022 for a blue example. The car is a 2019 Volkswagen Golf R Spektrum with 3,100 miles on the clock, which sold on Cars and Bids for a record price. “Spektrum” is a custom color program that came to VW of America via VW Canada and allowed 2019+ models to be configured in any one of 40 unique colors.
Each of these paint-to-order cars was sprayed by hand in a separate paint shop and then returned to the assembly lines with the regular Golf R models. The option was cheap at just $2,500, but you had to wait. Six cars were reportedly ordered in this Irish Green shade. The winning $62,000 bid belongs to collector KHoff1013, who we know has bought a 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R, BMW Z4 M Coupe, 2006 Mercedes SL65 AMG, and Ford F-150 SVT Lighting just in the past few months. Did somebody find the golden ticket?!
Is the $62,000 Golf R special?
In a word, no, it’s not. It’s just a Golf 7 R facelift with all the bells and whistles. Notably, these include the black 19-inch Pretoria wheels, Titan black leather pack, adaptive dampers, heated seats, and adaptive LED lights.
Being a facelift model, it has a digital dashboard, and with only 3,100 miles on the clock, you can’t be surprised by how immaculate the body looks. The 2.0-liter EA888 engine is unmolested, which means it still has its factory rating of 288 horsepower.
Irish Green (LB6B) is a pretty rare color for Volkswagens. Chances are you won’t see another like this. However, the original MSRP was $45,125, and we just can’t understand why somebody would pay about 30% more.
The obvious explanation is a bidding war between two people who wanted the same car. But it seems Golf R fans really do like the old Mk7 more than the new model. For 2022, VW introduced an all-new generation with a revised 2.0-liter turbo producing 315 horsepower. It can also drift, but the new dashboard and steering wheel designs have been heavily criticized.
