Update 05/06/2023: 

The Volkswagen Golf R 333 Limited Edition, priced at €76,410 (A$123,890), was enthusiastically received in Germany, with all units selling out in a record eight minutes, as reported by the company's headquarters.

The manufacturer confirmed via a tweet that following the special edition's launch, the highly exclusive and priciest VW Golf to date - distinguishable by its bright yellow colour - sold out almost instantaneously. The tweet from the company's news distribution account declared, "That was superfast! Within only 8 minutes, all 333 units of the #VWGolf R 333 are already sold out!"

Despite being priced significantly higher than the standard Golf R - by approximately €20,000 in Germany - and even being more expensive than an entry-level Audi RS3 Sportback by about €10,000, the Golf R 333 Limited Edition still found enthusiastic buyers. The pricing of this special edition Golf is even comparable to the Porsche 718 Cayman S in its home market, which has a starting price of €77,035. For context, in Australia, the Cayman S has a starting price of $160,100 before on-road costs.

This scenario illustrates the strong demand for exclusive, limited-edition vehicles and the appeal of the Volkswagen Golf R, even when its pricing reaches into premium sports car territory.

Original article on 01/06/2023: 

In Europe, Volkswagen R has officially announced the introduction of the Golf R 333 Limited Edition, a special version of the Golf R that is resplendent in Lime Yellow Metallic paint and comes with black exterior accents. The car, priced at €76,410 (A$125,580), will be released in a limited run of 333 units.

The Golf R 333 Limited Edition uses a 2.0 TSI four-cylinder petrol engine, an uprated version producing 245kW/420Nm, compared to the regular European model, and boasting 20Nm more than the Australian Golf R Hatch models, which lack a petrol particulate filter (PPF).

The Limited Edition is set apart not just by its flamboyant paint job and beefed-up engine, but also by a unique number plaque on the dashboard, a titanium rear silencer in the Akrapovic R Performance exhaust, 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels fitted with semi-slick tyres, and a top speed of 270km/h. The car can go from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

On the inside, the Limited Edition model offers a plush Nappa leather finish, genuine carbon-fibre inlays, and a nine-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system. As Hakim Halimi, head of product marketing at Volkswagen R, puts it, “This is the first Volkswagen R model that is strictly limited to 333 units, and that carries a sequentially numbered badge inside the car.”

Unfortunately, the Golf R 333 Limited Edition will only be available in Europe, with orders in Germany starting on June 2nd, and delivery starting from October. The production is slated for September.

However, Volkswagen R is celebrating the “cult status” of its hot hatch, with 250,000 units ordered since the R32 model's launch in 2002. And while the Golf R 333 Limited Edition won't be making its way Down Under, Australians can look forward to the Golf R 20 Years Edition later this year, which will also be available in limited numbers with orders starting on July 13th.

Only 50 units of the Golf R 20 Years Edition are headed for Australia – 32 in Lapiz Blue and 18 in Pure White. These units will be distributed through the brand’s national dealer network, with prices starting from $77,490 plus on-road costs – that's $10,500 more than the standard Golf R Hatch.

Just like the 333 Limited Edition, the Golf R 20 Years Edition will come with the 245kW/420Nm engine tune with turbocharger pre-loading, the Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, and carbon-fibre interior trim inlays. As the first quarter of the year draws to a close, Volkswagen Australia has reported the delivery of 19,833 units across the Golf R32 and R generations, across both hatchback and wagon body styles, over the past two decades. The 20,000 milestone is expected to be reached later this year.