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We have two very similar 2022 hot hatches, but the results of this series of drag races are where the similarities end.

Drag racing is a brilliant motorsport. It is all about two very fast, very potent cars going flat out. And one of the best outlets for some drag racing is the Sam CarLegion YouTube channel.

Sam often brings together some pretty epic cars, and this latest video is an interesting one. He has brought together the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R MK8 which he is driving, and it is facing off against the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N.

The Golf R MK8 is a very interesting machine and is the latest generation of the Golf R. This car is packing a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, and it produces 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It has a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, and it is all-wheel drive, weighing in at around 3,360 lbs.

The Elantra N meanwhile also has a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine, but it produces 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. It has an eight-speed dual clutch transmission but is front-wheel drive, and slightly lighter than the Golf at 3,300 lbs.

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So then, it's time to see what these two cars can do. The two cars get off the line in the first race with launch control, although the Elantra N has quite a complex launch control system. The cars launch off the line, but the disadvantages of the Hyundai system are apparent as the Golf R just vanishes into the distance. It does show how fast the Golf is, as it gets up to a top speed of 110 mph. Pretty impressive.

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We get into the second race, and while the Hyundai did get a slightly better start this time, it still really bogs down with a lot of wheel spin that hands the Golf R an easy victory. We get another standing start race to see if the Elantra can have a fairer fight, but it bogs down again and the Golf gets another win, even if the Elantra was a bit closer.

Next, race four, and this is a rolling race. The Elantra N now comes into its own as it just takes home the win over the Golf R. But the Golf R strikes back in the next race with a better launch to make it four out of five over the Elantra N.

Source: Sam CarLegion YouTube Channel

Covering anything from JDM cars to classic jets. Contributed to HotCars since the Autumn of 2018. Writes features, news and list articles.