Performance Review: Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lancia Kappa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1994. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12 and the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12.This particular Lancia Kappa has a 1995cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Kappa shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Kappa's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lancia Kappa shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1995cc 16V St4 engine produces 205 bhp (152 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 220 lb-ft (298.2 Nm) @ 2750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lancia Kappa you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (163.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lancia Kappa.

The Lancia Kappa has a Power to weight ratio of 138.5 bhp per ton and 148.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 Kappa competing with the 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (163.5 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Mazda RX8 1.3 (163.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lancia Kappa generating around 148.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (173.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (173.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Kappa and the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Lancia Kappa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.5 secs @ 88.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (15.43 secs), the 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v (15.43 secs), and the 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 (15.43 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 Kappa equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1994 Lancia Kappa 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

1994 Kappa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lancia

Car Comparison