Performance Review: Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Ibiza Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Seat Ibiza has a 1896cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St4's includes the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive

The Ibiza shares its Diesel St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d. 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 1215 kgs (2678 lbs) this makes the Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Ibiza shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1896cc 8V St4 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 3750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 243 lb-ft (329.4 Nm) @ 1900 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 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (267 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 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (155.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Ibiza.

The Seat Ibiza has a Power to weight ratio of 130.0 bhp per ton and 200.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Ibiza competing with the 1974 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 1 5.3L V8 (155.0 bhp per ton) or the 1980 Audi Quattro UR-Quattro (155.0 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 Seat Ibiza generating around 200.0 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 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (225.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 4Matic 2.0 Turbo (225.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (7.40 secs). This Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Ibiza and the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8

When talking about the performance of the Seat Ibiza on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.88 secs @ 86.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs), the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs), and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (15.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Ibiza equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (148 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Ibiza Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison