Performance Review: Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Skoda Rapid Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Skoda Rapid has a 1390cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Rapid 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 Rapid'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 1225 kgs (2700 lbs) this makes the Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1390cc 16V St4 engine produces 120 bhp (89 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 148 lb-ft (200.6 Nm) @ 1500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (122.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Skoda Rapid.

The Skoda Rapid has a Power to weight ratio of 97.9 bhp per ton and 120.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 Rapid competing with the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (122.9 bhp per ton) or the 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 (122.8 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 Rapid generating around 120.8 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 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (145.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (145.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.4 secs, this made the Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback as fast as the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs) the or the 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (9.10 secs). This Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback is also faster than the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (9.20 secs) the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (9.20 secs) the and the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Rapid and the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi

When talking about the performance of the Skoda Rapid on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.66 secs @ 77.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi (17.58 secs), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (17.60 secs), and the 1957 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (17.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 Rapid equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

2013 Rapid Rivals List.

A Brief History of Skoda

Car Comparison