Performance Review: Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lancia Kappa Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 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 2959cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Kappa shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. 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 1510 kgs (3328 lbs) this makes the Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo 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 2959cc 24V V6 engine produces 204 bhp (152 kW) @ 6300 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 Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 1999 Honda Accord 2.2 16V Type R (160.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lancia Kappa.

The Lancia Kappa has a Power to weight ratio of 135.0 bhp per ton and 131.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 Kappa competing with the 1999 Honda Accord 2.2 16V Type R (160.0 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi 180 (160.0 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 131.7 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 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 (156.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (156.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Kappa and the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S

When talking about the performance of the Lancia Kappa on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.62 secs @ 87.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S (15.55 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 Kappa equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1994 Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1994 Kappa Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lancia

Car Comparison