Even if Volkswagen didn't create the very first hot hatch, an honor that goes the way of the 1973 Simca 1100 TI and the 1976 Renault 5 Gordini, the 1976 VW Golf GTI is certainly the most popular father of the genre. And that's because the Golf GTI made the formula legendary - short wheelbase, agile handling, low weight, and more power than strictly necessary.

With quite possibly the most well-known badge in their line-up, Volkswagen has continued to make the Golf a favorite among everyone and anyone. The Golf is the people's car, it's practical, not crazy expensive, and will run forever if looked after properly. The Golf badge is still around 48 years after its introduction, a true testament to simple engineering and design.

But every generation VW gives us something destined for the garages of driving enthusiasts. A special car with an R in the name. By now, we are used to the perfection that is the Golf R, arguably the best all-rounder hatchback on sale, but what it all started with was this; the Golf R32.

The R32 was like nothing that came before it. It was a massive step up from the GTIs and gave the performance-inclined VW lovers a fix. Let's take a look back at this trailblazer and how much you can expect to fork out to get your hands on one.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2022: We've updated this story with a few additional details on this giant-killing, little hot hatch that's already a future classic.

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What Made The Volkswagen Golf R32 Special

The year was 2004, Facebook had just been created, and Michael Schumacher makes history by winning his seventh F1 world title. In the meanwhile, VW had been cooking up something to release just in time for the MK4 Golf's end of production. The product was the Golf R32, and while it may seem that it was a rushed project to see off this generation of Golf, this certainly was not the case, the Golf R32 was a serious project for the German automaker.

Standard from the factory, the R32 came with a lowered suspension setup, bigger brakes, and restyled aggressive bumpers with the rear housing twin exhausts. The interior was incredibly plush for a Golf, with leather all around and a nice chunky steering wheel to wrestle with. It came with seats made by Konig each embossed with the "R" logo we have become so accustomed to now.

Volkswagen VR6 24-valve 3.2-liter engine
Via: Volkswagen

The engine is the glue that brings this package together, a lump that would quickly become a cult classic. It is, of course, the famed 3.2-liter, 24-valve VR6. The narrow 15-degree angled V somehow made it possible to squeeze it into the normal Golf-sized engine bay. Stock power was 240 hp maxing out at 6,250 rpm with 236 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. The engine was responsive, something that the 1.8-liter GTI owners would become extremely jealous of, but the one resounding characteristic was the noise. A low growl that would leave even the most experienced supercar owners with a smile on their faces.

The only transmission available is a lovely six-speed manual linked to a Haldex all-wheel-drive system that brings the rear wheels into play when the fronts struggled to keep up. Only 5,000 units were brought to the States, and now it seems as if they are having a kind of renaissance as the world becomes tiresome of 2-liter turbo dual-clutch Golf R's.

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Here’s What Makes The Mk5 Golf R32 A Great First Hot Hatch

How Much Does A Golf R32 Cost Today?

Volkswagen Golf R32 2002 rear shot blue car twin exhausts
Via Volkswagen

A juicy Golf 18 years on shouldn't be too expensive. But after some market research, expect to be paying as much as you would for a brand-new Golf R. The days of analog driving are behind us, and to buy into a piece of this golden era of performance you'll have to pay a premium.

Let's start with the top end, a clean 1800-mile example sold on Bring a Trailer auction for $62,000. Yes, you read that correctly, $62,000, almost $20,000 over what you would pay for a brand-new Golf R. A deep blue pear with black leather car was as original as you could get, with original dealer window stickers, clean history, and fully serviced. It's almost too clean to drive, having come directly from the original owner.

Volkswagen Golf R32 2004 MK4 interior shot
Via Volkswagen

If we had to recommend, it would be best to buy a more used but well looked after car. For a car of this character, you'll still expect to pay $30,000 or so but will be able to jump in and drive knowing that it won't be losing much value. Something like this car, in the classic Deep blue metallic with silver wheels (an iconic spec), will set you back $35,000 but would raise the hairs on the back of your neck on a good back road.

The real question is do you spend your money on a brand new GTI or Golf R, that will inevitably prove itself to be a solid all-rounder, or do you chase the emotion that a manual VR6 R32 will give you? At this point, it's really a personal opinion. The R32 is undoubtedly a sound investment, with some weekend use you could buy and keep it for a couple of years and likely get most of your money back. Buying a new Golf R would be a sensible decision if you're looking for a perfect daily. But if it's pure analog emotion you're after then an R32 is a lot of car for the money, especially knowing that VW will never make something like it again.