My CR170 doesn't rev over 3K in neutral

Not sure how I noticed this but at first thought it was a protection feature like in an M3 / M5 whereby it allows progressively higher revs as the oil gets up to temperature

It's not that - itnever revs over 3K in neutral, or in any gear with clutch in. As soon as the clutch is out in flies through to the redline

Some sort of crude launch control?

That is correct, its to protect the components. DSG is the same, it wont rev past 3K either in neutral.