The new Mini John Cooper Works GP is arguably one of the hottest hatchbacks of the year, but in order to claim a high seat in the hot-hatch realm, it must first face off with the current king of the segment: the Honda Civic Type R.

Like the previous GP models, Mini is limiting the production of its fastest, most powerful model ever, this time to 3,000 units worldwide. This means that the new JCW GP isn’t going to be a regular sight on the streets, making it more appealing, at least to hardcore fans of the brand.

Power is coming from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 301 HP (306 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. That’s a lot of power, especially for a front-wheel drive car the size of a Mini. However, with the help of a mechanical differential lock and the standard eight-speed automatic transmission, this Mini is capable of a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds and a 165 mph (265 km/h) top speed.

Put the fastest Mini next to the heavier Honda Civic Type R and the Japanese hot hatch will lose the drag race. However, the Type R emerged as the favorite of Edmunds’ latest comparison, as it showcased a much better ability in putting its power down on the tarmac than the Mini.

Moreover, the British hot hatch makes the driver less confident in exploring its limits, while the classic automatic transmission lacks the crispy gear change action of the best dual-clutch units out there.