Factory Mistake: Unique VW Golf R Painted Incorrectly

author: FutureCar Staff    

Most new cars these days come in a limited set of colors from the factory, usually consisting of blacks, whites, and greys, with occasional splashes of red or blue. However, every now and then, a car manages to slip through the cracks and sport a color that was never intended to be part of the lineup. Such was the case with a 2017 Volkswagen Golf R.

This particular Golf R, painted in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic, caused quite a stir when it first appeared on the dealership lot in November 2016. This color was never officially available on the Golf R model, making it quite a rarity. The car was listed for sale by Lindsey Volkswagen in Dulles, Virginia, and immediately caught the attention of car enthusiasts.

The current owner of the Golf R was intrigued by its unique color and decided to investigate further. They reached out to Volkswagen to inquire about how their car ended up painted in Carbon Steel Grey Metallic, a color that was originally only offered on the Golf GTI models. Volkswagen representatives were unable to provide a definitive answer, suggesting that it was likely a result of an incorrect paint code entry or a system error that led to the wrong paint being selected.

Despite the mix-up, the car passed through the production line without any issues. Quality inspection did not detect any problems with the finish, as inspectors typically focus on ensuring that cars are painted in the correct designated colors. The Golf R's unique color sparked a frenzy among car enthusiasts, with over 100 callers expressing their interest in purchasing the one-of-a-kind vehicle.

Megan Closset, the product manager of the Golf GTI and Golf R in America at the time, noticed the excitement surrounding the car and used it as leverage to introduce the Spektrum program to the U.S. market. This program expanded the color options for the Golf R, offering a wide range of vibrant and eye-catching choices.

As a result of this accidental production, Volkswagen of America now offers the Golf R in a rich selection of colors, thanks to the overwhelming response from the community. To acknowledge the car's significance, Volkswagen issued a special letter of authenticity to the owner, confirming its one-of-a-kind status and highlighting its role in bringing the expanded color options to the market.

The current owner of the Golf R has enjoyed the car immensely but has now decided to sell it. The car is currently listed for sale on Bring a Trailer, with the auction price sitting at just over $15,000 and five days remaining.

Documents have confirmed the car's special status as a one-off factory error, further adding to its uniqueness. While Volkswagen no longer offers Carbon Steel Grey Metallic as a color option, it can still be found at Porsche, where it is available as a Paint to Sample color.

FutureCar Staff