New Civic Type R v M135i v A35 v S3 v Golf R: DRAG RACE

We’ve got our hands on the new Honda Civic Type R, so of course, it’s time for an epic hot hatch drag race!

We’re putting the Type R up against its key competitors - the new Golf R 20 Year, the AMG A35, BMW M135i and Audi S3 to see which is quickest over the 1/4-mile. So let’s see how they compare.

Starting with the Golf R, it’s powered by a 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that can deliver 333hp and 420Nm. It’s equipped with AWD and weighs in at 1,480kg. Next up it’s the S3, which has the same sized engine and can put down 310hp and 400Nm of torque. It’s also got AWD and tips the scales at 1,500kg.

The BMW also comes equipped with a 2-litre turbo 4-cylinder, which produces 306hp and 450Nm - the highest level of torque in this line-up. It’s heavier than both the Golf R and the S3, coming in at 1,525kg. However, it’s not the heaviest car here. That honour goes to the AMG A35, which weighs in at 1,555kg. It still packs a punch though, with its 2-litre turbo 4-cylinder engine being able to put down 306hp and 400Nm.

Then finally we have the Type R. Under the bonnet, you’ll find a (you guessed it…) 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, that can put down 329hp and 420Nm. It may be the lightest car here, at 1,429kg, however, it’s also the only manual! What’s more, it only drives the front wheels!

Surely the Type R can’t snatch the win?! There’s only one way to find out for sure… LET’S RACE!

[carwow]

What's the best car in this line-up?

[DeanoEV]

That A35 is as stock as Dom Torretto's dodge charger was.

[easytechchannel]

The Golf R is quick, but that A35 was soooo suspicious as being stock. Take that to the dyno please Mat! Great race Carwow!

[Tom_Schuster]

That A35 is 0.9 seconds quicker than the one in the A45S vs A35 video and a full second quicker than the one in the S3 vs M135i vs A35 video. As others have pointed out, there's almost no chance it is stock.

[SuperAndrewrhodes]

I'm an AMG man but I can't help but love the new TYPE-R. Sensible family hatchback with a hint of chav!

[nicholasdudzinski]

That A35 did a 12.5 run whereas the A45 in a previous video did a 12.1 with an extra 110 hp. Whoever brought that A35 is a joker.

[ItsDeeEff]

That “gee, I wonder why” from Yianni at 10:06 was priceless 😂😂😂

[adamklasan]

I've seen tuned a35's that were not able to do a quarter in 12.5 seconds that one has definitely had some work done.

[EFerrorfile]

That A35 surely is tuned, suspiciously fast one compared to others in these drag race videos.

[shyambhadresa]

I was looking at the Type R today as well! great minds...

[okithdesilva]

This drag race reminds me the old Carwow drag races! We want more drag races like this one!

[xiaoyu]

Thanks Honda for keeping the manual transmission alive. We appreciate it more than you think.

[Rick_B]

I was a bit shocked by just how fast that Golf R was. Definitely a serious daily. Great vid as always.

[chrissimpson]

Excellent drag races, but I want to see the Civic Type R up against other front wheel drive hot hatches - please make this happen 🙏 😀

[shr]

How is everybody ignoring how good/fast did Sam shift from 6th gear to whatever gear in that roll race?

[Jayden-qpyl]

Start using drone footage from a Birds Eye view,

non the less a great video as always!!! But can we see that A35 on a dyno 😅

[Presto_]

Please do a dyno drag race with that Mercedes A35. It should seriously not be that fast to the quarter mile.

[ITABiker]

Let’s run the A35 on the dyno. Thumbs up to propose video 👍🏻

[kooroshshahidi]

shout out to the editors for putting mat's face on those exhaust tips 😂 I hadn't laughed this hard in months

[mattthomasmelmo]

Like to see lap times with the Civic and have a Megane RS up there too against those