Today, I had my first proper off-road experience in 35 years. I drove my Godfather's Land Rover through a forest and was surprised at how well it handled the challenge. To make things even better, I had to test drive the RX-7 for wheel fitment once I got home.
I have been driving diesel-powered cars for almost 15 years now. It started with a fast VW Polo with a 1.9 TDI engine inside. Then I moved to an Audi A4 that looked like an RS 4 and had several more upgrades. Working with 131 hp might not seem like much, but there's plenty of torque for the real world.
I've had several friends diving deep into the world of fast diesel cars, and that's how I got to drive a 200-hp Skoda back in circa 2014. At that time, I also tested the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio, which had a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine with just under 250 hp on tap. It felt pretty fast, but someone in a diesel VW Golf IV showed me what a big-turbo smoke machine can achieve with a relatively small budget.
So, I was cautious about predicting the outcome of today's battle. Using a turbocharger on a VTEC engine can render fantastic results (a boosted Civic EK4 VTI scared me a few years ago). But pushing a 1.9-TDI to the limit can prove just as effective. Choosing between a Honda Civic Type R and a Seat Ibiza is a no-brainer for me, as I'm a big fan of Japanese cars.
Realizing which of the two is faster down the 1/4-mile (402 meters) doesn't boil down to simple math, though. In stock form, I'm certain the Honda would destroy the Seat in any given test. Both cars are up at about 500 hp each today, thanks to several mods. Looking at the power-to-weight ratio, you'd think the Civic has a much better chance of winning.
The Ibiza uses a nitrous system, which may be useful in a challenge like this one. Until you see a dyno sheet, you can never be sure about someone's declared hp figures. Even if you have all the parts required for 500 hp, a poorly set-up map can prevent you from reaching that goal. But I digress.
The rolling race is the day's first test, and it quickly becomes obvious that you should never underestimate your opponent. As with any tuned diesel, plenty of black smoke comes out of the exhaust. But the Ibiza is in the lead, and there's no sign the Type R can turn the tables. Its only chance is to win when starting from a dig, which may happen thanks to those AR1 semi-slicks. The driver doesn't get a clean win, though, as the Seat faces some issues when shifting into third. Winning is still winning, though, right?
The things Dragos enjoys the most in life are, in no particular order: cars, motorcycles, diecast cars, and drifting. He's seen (and driven) many vehicles since he started his writing career back in 2009, but his garage currently houses a 1991 Mazda RX-7 FC3S Turbo II and a 1999 Suzuki SV650-S. Full profile
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