SEAT Córdoba WRC in the World Rally Championship
Manufacturer:
SEAT
Category: WRC
Since 1998
The SEAT Cordoba WRC is a rally vehicle based on the SEAT Cordoba with World Rally Car homologation. It was built by SEAT to participate in the World Rally Championship in the official team, the SEAT World Rally Team which is managed by its sports department, SEAT Sport.
He debuted in the Rally of Finland in 1998 and participated from that year until 2000 with drivers such as Harri Rovanperä, Oriol Gómez, Piero Liatti, Didier Auriol and Toni Gardemeister. He never got a win, but three podiums: in New Zealand and Great Britain in 1999 and in the 2000 Safari.
It had three evolutions and its last official participation was in the 2000 Rally of Great Britain.
After its withdrawal from the world championship, the SEAT Córdoba WRC continued to appear in tests of the world championship in the hands of private pilots, but its destiny was the national and regional championships, mainly in Spain, in both asphalt competitions like ground, Salvador Cañellas junior being one of the most prominent pilots to use it.
SEAT Córdoba WRC teams and drivers
It made its debut at the 1998 Rally Finland, with Harri Rovanperä as the main driver.
SEAT Córdoba WRC rally victories
The car achieved podiums at the 1999 Rally New Zealand, driven by Toni Gardemeister, the 1999 Rally GB, driven by Rovanperä, as well as in the 2000 Safari Rally, driven by Didier Auriol.
SEAT Córdoba WRC technical specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Production Years | 1998-2000 |
| Engine | 2.0L Inline-4, Turbocharged (20-valve) |
| Power Output | Approximately 300 hp (224 kW) |
| Torque | Approximately 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) |
| Transmission | 6-speed sequential gearbox |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Suspension (Front) | MacPherson strut with adjustable dampers |
| Suspension (Rear) | Double wishbone with adjustable dampers |
| Brakes (Front) | Ventilated discs with 4-piston calipers |
| Brakes (Rear) | Ventilated discs with 4-piston calipers |
| Weight | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) (minimum regulation weight) |
| Top Speed | Approximately 200 km/h (124 mph) |
| 0-60 mph | Approximately 4 seconds |
| Wheelbase | 2,447 mm (96.3 in) |
| Length | 4,045 mm (159.2 in) |
| Width | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) |
| Height | 1,360 mm (53.5 in) |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 liters (19.8 gallons) |
The SEAT Córdoba WRC was developed by SEAT Sport for the World Rally Championship, featuring a robust turbocharged engine and advanced all-wheel-drive system. Its design and engineering aimed to compete at the highest level of rallying, showcasing SEAT's capabilities in motorsport. Despite not achieving significant success in terms of championships, the Córdoba WRC demonstrated strong performance and competitiveness during its participation in the WRC.
