Performance Review: Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet - [1961]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Skoda Felicia Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1961. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Skoda Felicia has a 1089cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Felicia 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 Felicia's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 863 kgs (1902 lbs) this makes the Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Skoda Felicia shares the same bhp with the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp)

In terms of power the 1089cc 8V St4 engine produces 53 bhp (39 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 55 lb-ft (74.5 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (86.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Skoda Felicia.

The Skoda Felicia has a Power to weight ratio of 61.4 bhp per ton and 63.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1961 Felicia competing with the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (86.2 bhp per ton) or the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (85.8 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 Skoda Felicia generating around 63.7 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 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (88.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (87.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 16.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 17.4 secs, this made the Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet as fast as the 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 (16.80 secs) the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe (16.90 secs) the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs) the or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs). This Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet is also faster than the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe (16.90 secs) the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs) the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs) the and the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Felicia and the 1992 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo R

When talking about the performance of the Skoda Felicia on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 20.96 secs @ 65.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo R (20.88 secs), the 1980 Renault Fuego 1.6 Turbo (20.90 secs), and the 1986 Renault 11 1.4 Turbo (20.91 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1961 version of the Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 85mph.

Top Speed of the 1961 Felicia equals the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (96 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet then how about the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (96 mph), the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph), or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (100 mph).

Related Links:

1961 Felicia Rivals List.

A Brief History of Skoda

Car Comparison