It’s a battle between hot hatches and there is a clear winner.
Europe’s hot hatch segment is still steamy. Daniel Abt takes a Hyundai I30 N Performance, and a Volkswagen GTI Clubsport to drag race. Although the video is in German and subtitles are good enough to understand what’s going on, they are clear enough.
Let’s start with the specs. The N Performance produces 271 horsepower (202 Kilowatts) as well as 279 pound-feet (378 Newton-meters), from a turbocharged four-cylinder of 2.0-liters. The current model has an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, but this one has a six speed manual. The car is 3,150 pounds (or 1,429 kilograms).
The GTI Clubsport is comparable with 296 horsepower (221 kW) or 295 lbft (400 Nm), both of which are also from a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter. It features a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. The VW is 3,221 lb (1,461 kg).
The GTI Clubsport quickly demonstrates its strength in a quarter-mile drag race. The i30N is unable to get off to a good start due to wheel spin. The VW accelerates along the track in 13.26 seconds. To cover the distance, the Hyundai takes 15.0 seconds.
The next race is 800m (0.497 miles). The distance covered is approximately twice as long as the first run but the final result is the same. GTI Clubsport leads the race and completes the distance in just 20.44 seconds. It takes 22.44 seconds for the i30N to complete this run.
The 800-meter race was then rerun. The i30N completes the 800-meter race in 21.98 seconds. The GTI Clubsport wins another race by running the distance in 20.30 seconds.
The last challenge is a rolling race at 60 km/h (37.28 mi/h). This is the closest race to date. Although the i30 N takes the lead, it is only for a short time. The GTI Clubsport wins again.
The Clubsport version of the GTI is not offered by VW in the US. However, the regular variant with 241 horsepower (180 kW) is available. American buyers are not able to purchase the i30 N. The closest comparable is the Elantra N, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 276 horsepower (206 kW).