This is completely eye opening for several reasons. And those reasons are astounding.
https://www.caranddriver.com/volkswagen/golf-gti-2021
and look at this:
https://www.caranddriver.com/mini/cooper-jcw-2021

Now, every possible test has the MK7, the GTI that everyone knows well, as faster in all respects to the Mini JCW. There is not question whatsoever that it is a complete pig vs the JCW however. That hardtop pulls ahead by many YARDS in a drag race, never even close from start to finish. Rolling start it also gets waxed. IF you are used to seeing drag races of bone stock retail cars, that is not the normal thing, they are closer up until the end, not waxed like a b****h like this.

Whatever is going on, this is science vs whatever is tested months apart from one another. I was thinking about a mk8 GTI, but it looks ugly, and apparently sucks.
I wonder now my MX-5 RF (ND2) vs. Mini JCW hardtop....

 

So you have a Miata RF and a MINI? fun overload ... I test drove 2- 2018 RF's (with/without Bilstein), 1- test drive of 2018 MINI JCW and I was sold, it made me laugh. Both MINI & Miata needed coilovers/sway bars to flatten them out IMO. Test drove a 2020 Jetta GLI (got a GMC Sierra instead), the Jetta's an awesome car, still has a manual gearbox, nice steering. I wouldn't give much weight to these guys that were probably on that airstrip illegally plus anything can happen in Italy especially in the south .
My brother in law might be getting a 2021 Miata RF, hoping he does cause I want to borrow it.

 

Very interesting video. I’m with you, something doesn’t add up here, but that footage doesn’t lie. That JCW smoked it.

 

The GTI might be a nicer car, but the Mini has sooooo much more character.

 

for the moment, i will have both. Not sure i can afford to keep both.... maybe so! that's a great idea actually...

 

the JCW has about 200 lbs lighter weight. That could have been one of the factors. They both used automatic transmissions of their respective kind.

I just want the girl who is flagging <3