Viper Green Was America’s Most Popular Spektrum Color For 2019 VW Golf R

VW of America sent off the Mk7-based Golf R with a special option that allowed customers to choose from 40 custom colors.

Only available for the 2019 model year, the final of the previous-generation Golf R in the U.S., the Volkswagen Spektrum Program proved to be a success, despite an MSRP of $2,500 for each special color that could be custom ordered through many Volkswagen dealers nationwide.

Several of the paints were homages to significant cars from VW’s past. For example, Mars Red pays tribute to the first hot hatch offered by the brand, the Mk1 Golf GTI, while the popular Ginster Yellow recalls the Mk3 Driver’s Edition GTI from 1997. Jazz Blue Pearl was also featured on that car, but also on the Mk4 20th Anniversary GTI. As for Ginster Yellow, it was one of the four colors on the uniquely-painted Harlequin Golf Mk3.

See Also: VW Sending Off Mk7 Golf R With Custom-Painted Final Edition Down Under

2019 VW Golf R in Ginster Yellow with Oettinger body kit

So, which of the 40 Spektrum colors proved the most popular? Well, that would be the Viper Green Metallic, which accounted for almost 17 percent of all special-order colors sold. This paint debuted in 2008 on the European Volkswagen Scirocco, and evokes bold green offerings from Lamborghini.

Another popular hue was Nogaro Blue Pearl, originally made famous by Audi S and RS models. The three cars you see in the group photos are painted Ginster Yellow, Viper Green Metallic, and Sarantos Turquoise. The green and yellow cars feature dealer-installed Oettinger body kits, consisting of lower body aerodynamics and “Twin Bridge” rear spoilers. As for the green 2019 Golf R, it has Oettinger Sport Extensions on the rear spoiler.

2019 VW Golf R in Sarantos Turquoise with Oettinger body kit

As you can imagine, custom painting each VW Spektrum Golf R was an intensive process that involved a roughly one-kilometer (0.6-mile) trip away from the Wolfsburg main factory floor to a specialized building, where each car was hand-sprayed. Each customer received a unique handwritten welcome card from Volkswagen Golf U.S. Product Manager Megan Closset that included a personalized note, color swatch, additional “R” logo, and confirmation of the total number produced for USA.

Mind you, the Mk7 Golf R was dropped from the U.S. market in August 2019. It will be replaced next year by the all-new, Mk8-based VW Golf R that will launch in North America for the 2022 model year and will still be available with either a manual or, optionally, a DSG transmission.