Performance Review: Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Ibiza Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Seat Ibiza has a 1781cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Ibiza 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 Ibiza's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 1119 kgs (2466 lbs) this makes the Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1781cc 20V St4 engine produces 207 bhp (154 kW) @ 5800 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 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 2100 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 Seat Ibiza you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 320R - Saloon (209.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Ibiza.

The Seat Ibiza has a Power to weight ratio of 184.9 bhp per ton and 177.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Ibiza competing with the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 320R - Saloon (209.9 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (209.9 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 Seat Ibiza generating around 177.8 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 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Spec C - Blobeye (202.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Jaguar E Type 5.3L V12 2+2 (202.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ibiza and the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Seat Ibiza on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.15 secs @ 96.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (14.08 secs), the 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (14.08 secs), and the 2011 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 (14.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Ibiza equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Ibiza Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison