Hyundai i30 N Beaten by Peugeot 308 GTi Around the Track

The French car isn't famous for anything in particular. It doesn't have the crazy blue paint or a big wing over the trunk. Its engine is also much smaller, but more on that later.

Auto Express put the two off-beat hot hatch choices to the test around a tight track. Reviewing them is one thing, but this video is all about the lap times. The stopwatch doesn't lie, and it says the 308 GTi is faster by over a second.

The i30 N is infinitely configurable thanks to driving modes. It also features adaptive dampers and a rev-matching system that makes the driver feel like a god. The Peugeot only has one mode, and that's faster than anything the Korean car can throw at it.

It comes down to tuning and weight, as the 308 GTi is being superior in the braking department and has a better mechanical limited slip differential.

Under its hood is the most potent 1.6-liter turbo engine fitted to a production car. Despite the i30 N featuring a larger 2-liter, they are almost tied for both power and torque. However, the 308 GTi is lighter by about 200 kilograms, an absurd number for two direct rivals. It might even be faster in a drag race as a result.

Even if it's the fastest, I won't buy the 308 GTi over the Hyundai. Technology is a big part of what makes a hot hatch appealing, and a rev-matching system sounds so cool. Also, I think the i30 looks better, and it's also cheaper if you ignore the list price and just see what's out there.