When it comes to front-wheel-drive hot hatchbacks, being able to put all your power down without losing traction is one of the most important factors, especially during drag racing.
The new VW Golf GTI Clubsport, Honda Civic Type R and Seat Leon Cupra all pack turbocharged four-cylinder engines driving the front-wheels via 6-speed manual transmissions, however, regardless which one screeches off the line first, there is still a slight output deficit to consider.
Also keep in mind that the GTI Clubsport with its 265 PS isn’t as fast as the 310 PS Clubsport S, which was recently involved in a drag race against the equally-powerful Civic Type R and won relatively easily.
Of course, the Type R is no underdog when it comes to these types of straight line battles. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine puts down 310 PS and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), allowing it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in roughly 5.7 seconds before maxing out at 269 km/h (167 mph).
The Golf GTI Clubsport does come with an overboost function which boosts power from 265 PS to roughly 290 PS for 10-second blasts, while the Leon Cupra 290 has, you’ve guessed it, 290 PS and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, needing 5.8 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) – more or less identical to the Golf.
Carwow’s Mat Watson chooses to drive the Golf GTI Clubsport during this drag race, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he chose the winner. Which of these three is your money on?