Yes, I am aware that the Audi S3 is a fair bit more powerful (54bhp and 90Nm to be precise), and has twice the traction of that of the MINI John Cooper Works. So why are we featuring these two pocket rockets in this compare? Well, if you have around $160K to splurge on a premium hatch that delivers driving fun, these two cars could just be what you might be eyeing.

As the regular readers would know, both the S3 and the JCW have already been road-tested by Oneshift. The former is the latest S model to arrive from the Ingolstadt-based car maker, albeit a facelifted model, while the latter is an extensively reworked Cooper S – you can think of JCW as being MINI’s own M Division..

For the facelift, the S3 gains new headlamps – now incorporating Audi’s signature LED daytime running lights – and tail lights, restyled front and rear bumpers, redesigned side sills and new 18-inch alloy wheels.

The flared wheel arches complement the lowered ride height to equip the S3 with a subtly sporty stance. A touch of sophistication has been added to the car, thanks to the new (a) headlamp units with the eyebrow-like daytime running lights, and (b) the chrome-ringed front fog lamps. Just the car for the executive types who prefer to keep a low profile despite owning the sportiest (and priciest) A3.

As for the MINI, its exterior is the antithesis of the bodybuilder-in-suit image of the S3. Every detail about this car screams performance - the standard-fit JCW aero kit is worn with pride, loudly complemented by the conspicuous roof-mounted carbon fibre spoiler. Other sporty bits include the carbon fibre air scoop trim and wing mirror caps, as well as the red four-pot brake callipers peeking out from behind the front 17-inch MINI Challenge alloy wheels.