BMW 128ti battles Toyota GR Yaris on the drag strip

Hot hatches are nowhere near as popular nowadays as they once were – in the USA, at any rate – but those who would like to combine practicality with driving enjoyment still have their needs covered. First, there is the amazing Toyota GR Yaris with its AWD system, six-speed stick shift and turbo three-pot. Second, there is the BMW 128ti packing performance in a premium package.

In the latest video by cars.co.za, these two are trying to outrace each other on the drag strip. Neither has any decisive advantages over the other. The BMW gets 245 PS (242 hp / 180 kW) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque out of its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The Toyota gets 272 PS (268 hp / 200 kW) and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft) of torque out of its 1.6-liter three-cylinder.

Which one would you bet on? Be careful with the guesswork: the two put up quite a fight that goes on until the finish line.