SEAT Córdoba
Encyclopedia
The first generation SEAT Córdoba was presented at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show and launched in the summer of the same year, penned by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro
and based on the chassis of the SEAT Ibiza Mk2 which would spawn the Volkswagen Polo Mk3
the following year.
Its 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines were also found in the Volkswagen Polo and Ibiza, as was the 1.9 TDI
.
Though based on the Polo and Ibiza, its extended rear overhang meant its length was close to a Golf
but still smaller than the Jetta
. It featured a boot space of 455 litres which could be extended up to 762 litres by folding rear seats.
(Córdoba Vario) and a coupé
(Córdoba SX).
. The 16v SX also came with 16" multispoke alloys, 280 mm (11 in) front discs, ABS, traction control and air conditioning as standard. The model was slightly revised in 1998 with a new rear splitter which required the exhaust to be hidden, a revised front lower grill and splitter and leather interior became standard.
The Córdoba 16v was £1000GBP more expensive at list and 1 second slower 0-60 because of the added weight of the rear end.
The Córdoba WRC competed in the top category of the World Rally Championship officially between 1998 and 2000, as SEAT had homologated
a World Rally Car
version of the Córdoba 16v for competition in the FIA World Rally Championship
and other international rallies. 1994 World Drivers' Champion Didier Auriol
, of France
, and Toni Gardemeister
and Harri Rovanpera
, both of Finland
, were among those to pilot the factory cars. Debuting at the 1998 Rally Finland
with Rovanpera, and with podiums achieved at the 1999 Rally New Zealand
(Gardemeister), the 1999 Rally of Great Britain (Rovanpera) as well as the 2000 Safari Rally
(Auriol), the works programme concluded at the end of the 2000 season with the third evolution of the Córdoba WRC race car. However the SEAT Córdoba WRC continued to compete with successful results in national championships in different countries. In Spain, the Córdoba won the national title of all the rallies on gravel with Pedro Diego and Marc Blázquez, plus wins in tarmac rallies with Salvador Cañellas Jr.
.
FAW-Volkswagen
, VW's Chinese
subsidiary assembled and sold the Córdoba Mk1 under the VW Citi-Golf name in 1996.
The Citi-Golf had the Córdoba rear and front design not the Europe
an / South American versions which helped distinguish the Córdoba from the Polo Classic/Derby
models. In Mexico it was rebadged as the Volkswagen Derby. In 1995 it was imported from Spain, but the 1996 model was assembled in the Volkswagen de México assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico. In 1998 the Spanish made Polo Classic/Volkswagen Polo Classic
was introduced in Mexico as the new Volkswagen Derby.
Mk3 featuring a boot capacity of 485 litres which can be increased to 800 litres by folding rear seats ; no estate or coupé versions though were built in this generation. The SEAT Córdoba Mk2 also shares its chassis and engines with the Volkswagen Polo Mk4
and Škoda Fabia
Mk1 & Mk2 : straight-3 12-valve 1.2-litre petrols, straight-4 16-valve 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrols, a straight-4 8-valve 2.0-litre petrol, a straight-3 1.4 litre TDI turbodiesel, a 1.9-litre SDI and a 1.9-litre TDI turbodiesel in 100 bhp and 130 bhp variants.
As of February 2009, the SEAT Córdoba was available with the following engines: 1.6, 1.4 and 1.2 petrol, 1.9 and 1.4 diesel.
In Mexico, Córdoba production continues in the Volkswagen de México Puebla assembly plant. It has the VW 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre. 115 bhp engine combined with a 5-speed manual or an optional 6-speed Tiptronic transmission.
The total production per year of SEAT Córdoba cars, manufactured in SEAT and other Volkswagen group's plants, is shown in the following table :
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
and based on the chassis of the SEAT Ibiza Mk2 which would spawn the Volkswagen Polo Mk3
Volkswagen Polo Mk3
The Volkswagen Polo Mk3 is the third generation of the Volkswagen Polo supermini, produced from 1994 until late 1999 and some in 2000. It was produced in two forms, the initial car being known as the Mark 4 or IIII, and the facelifted version known as the Mark 4 Phase II or unofficially as the...
the following year.
Its 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines were also found in the Volkswagen Polo and Ibiza, as was the 1.9 TDI
Turbocharged Direct Injection
TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial...
.
Though based on the Polo and Ibiza, its extended rear overhang meant its length was close to a Golf
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
but still smaller than the Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Although the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
. It featured a boot space of 455 litres which could be extended up to 762 litres by folding rear seats.
Variants
In 1996 the Córdoba range was extended to an estateStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
(Córdoba Vario) and a coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
(Córdoba SX).
Córdoba SX
The Córdoba SX was a two-door coupé version of the Córdoba. It came in four variants. A 1.6 100 bhp , 1.9TD, 2.0 8V (Cupra) which has the same engine as the Córdoba GTi and a 2.0 16v. The 16v 150 bhp ABF engine is identical to the engine found in the Mk3 Golf GTiVolkswagen Golf Mk3
The third-generation Volkswagen Golf Mk3 was a car launched in Europe in November 1991 , and in North America in the spring of 1993. The delay in North America was due to Volkswagen's decision to supply U.S. and Canadian dealerships with Mk3 Golfs from the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico...
. The 16v SX also came with 16" multispoke alloys, 280 mm (11 in) front discs, ABS, traction control and air conditioning as standard. The model was slightly revised in 1998 with a new rear splitter which required the exhaust to be hidden, a revised front lower grill and splitter and leather interior became standard.
The Córdoba 16v was £1000GBP more expensive at list and 1 second slower 0-60 because of the added weight of the rear end.
Córdoba facelift
In 1999 the Córdoba was face lifted with changes focusing on the bumpers, headlights, taillights and front grille as well as in the interior, with new materials and upholstery. In the engines the 16v ABF engine was replaced with a 1.8 156 bhp Turbo engine and joined the Cupra range. Right hand drive versions in Ireland received only the 100 bhp 1.6 8v model. The SX was no longer available in the UK.Motorsport
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
a World Rally Car
World Rally Car
World Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
version of the Córdoba 16v for competition in the FIA World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
and other international rallies. 1994 World Drivers' Champion Didier Auriol
Didier Auriol
Didier Auriol is a French rally driver.Born in Montpellier, and initially an ambulance driver, Auriol made his name as a French rally driver in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1990s. He became World Rally Champion in 1994, the first from his country to do so...
, of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Toni Gardemeister
Toni Gardemeister
Toni Gardemeister , is a professional rally driver in the World Rally Championship. After previously competing for SEAT's, Mitsubishi's, Škoda's and Ford's factory teams, as well as for privateer teams, he joined the Suzuki World Rally Team for the 2008 season.-Early:From the outset of his career...
and Harri Rovanpera
Harri Rovanperä
Harri "Rovis" Rovanperä is a Finnish rally driver who competed in the World Rally Championship from 1993 to 2006. He drove for SEAT , Peugeot , Mitsubishi and Red Bull Škoda Team...
, both of Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, were among those to pilot the factory cars. Debuting at the 1998 Rally Finland
Rally Finland
The Neste Oil Rally Finland is a rally event driven in the Jyväskylä area in Central Finland. It is the biggest annually organised public event in the Nordic countries, gathering over 500,000 spectators every year....
with Rovanpera, and with podiums achieved at the 1999 Rally New Zealand
Rally New Zealand
The Rally New Zealand was first held in Taupo in 1969, and was subsequently staged in Canterbury, before moving back to the North Island in 1971.The rally was included as a round of the World Championship in 1977...
(Gardemeister), the 1999 Rally of Great Britain (Rovanpera) as well as the 2000 Safari Rally
Safari Rally
The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II...
(Auriol), the works programme concluded at the end of the 2000 season with the third evolution of the Córdoba WRC race car. However the SEAT Córdoba WRC continued to compete with successful results in national championships in different countries. In Spain, the Córdoba won the national title of all the rallies on gravel with Pedro Diego and Marc Blázquez, plus wins in tarmac rallies with Salvador Cañellas Jr.
Rebadges
The contemporary Volkswagen Polo Classic (saloon) and Variant (estate) were in fact rebadged versions of the SEAT Córdoba Mk1 and Córdoba Vario models respectively, and not based on the Polo Classic/Volkswagen Polo hatchbackVolkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, coupé and estate variants....
.
FAW-Volkswagen
Volkswagen Group China
Volkswagen Group China is division of the German automotive concern Volkswagen Group in the People's Republic of China....
, VW's Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
subsidiary assembled and sold the Córdoba Mk1 under the VW Citi-Golf name in 1996.
The Citi-Golf had the Córdoba rear and front design not the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an / South American versions which helped distinguish the Córdoba from the Polo Classic/Derby
Volkswagen Derby
The Volkswagen Derby is a saloon or booted or three-box version of the Volkswagen Polo supermini, produced by the German automobile maker Volkswagen, between 1977 and 1981....
models. In Mexico it was rebadged as the Volkswagen Derby. In 1995 it was imported from Spain, but the 1996 model was assembled in the Volkswagen de México assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico. In 1998 the Spanish made Polo Classic/Volkswagen Polo Classic
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, coupé and estate variants....
was introduced in Mexico as the new Volkswagen Derby.
Phase 1 (1993–1999)
| Model | Engine code | Engine type | Displacement | Max. power at rpm | Max. torque at rpm | Top speed (saloon) | Years | SX | Saloon | Estate (Vario) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | ||||||||||
| 1.4 i | ABD | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... SOHC 8V |
1391 cc | 60 PS @ 5,200 | 107 newton metre @ 2,400–2,800 | 145 km/h (90.1 mph) | 1993–1995 | |||
| 1.4 MPI | AEX/APQ | I4 SOHC 8V | 1390 cc | 60 PS @ 4,700 | 116 newton metre @ 2,800–3,200 | 145 km/h (90.1 mph) | 1995–1999 | |||
| 1.4 MPI | AFH | I4 DOHC 16V Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
1390 cc | 100 PS @ 6,000 | 128 newton metre @ 4,400 | 165 km/h (102.5 mph) | 1996–1999 | |||
| 1.6 i | ABU | I4 SOHC 8V | 1598 cc | 75 PS @ 5,200 | 125 newton metre @ 3,400 | 155 km/h (96.3 mph) | 1993–1994 | |||
| 1.6 i | 1F | I4 SOHC 8V | 1595 cc | 75 PS @ 5,500 | 125 newton metre @ 2,600 | 155 km/h (96.3 mph) | 1994–1997 | |||
| 1.6 MPI | AEE | I4 SOHC 8V | 1598 cc | 75 PS @ 4,800 | 135 newton metre @ 2,800–3,600 | 155 km/h (96.3 mph) | 1997–1999 | |||
| 1.6 MPI | AFT/AKS | I4 SOHC 8V | 1595 cc | 101 PS @ 5,800 | 140 newton metre @ 3,500 | 165 km/h (102.5 mph) | 1996–1999 | |||
| 1.8 i | ABS/ADZ | I4 SOHC 8V | 1781 cc | 90 PS @ 5,500 | 145 newton metre @ 2,700–2,900 | 160 km/h (99.4 mph) | 1993–1996 | |||
| 1.8 MPI | ADL | I4 DOHC 16V | 1781 cc | 130 PS @ 6,000 | 165 newton metre @ 4,800 | 195 km/h (121.2 mph) | 1994–1996 | |||
| 2.0 MPI | 2E/AGG | I4 SOHC 8V | 1984 cc | 116 PS @ 5,400 | 165 newton metre @ 3,200 (2E)/2,600 (AGG) | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 1993–1999 | |||
| 2.0 MPI | ABF | I4 DOHC 16V | 1984 cc | 150 PS @ 6,000 | 180 newton metre @ 4,200–5,000 | 210 km/h (130.5 mph) | 1996–1999 | |||
| Diesel engines | ||||||||||
| 1.9 D Diesel engine A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber... |
1Y | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | 64 PS @ 4,400 | 124 newton metre @ 2,000–3,000 | 150 km/h (93.2 mph) | 1993–1999 | |||
| 1.9 TD Turbodiesel Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines... |
AAZ | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | 75 PS @ 4,200 | 150 newton metre @ 2,400–3,400 | 155 km/h (96.3 mph) | 1993–1996 | |||
| 1.9 SDI Suction Diesel Injection The SDI engine is a design of naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine developed and produced by Volkswagen Group for use in cars and vans, along with marine engine and Volkswagen Industrial Motor applications.... |
AEY | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | 64 PS @ 4,200 | 125 newton metre @ 2,200–2,800 | 150 km/h (93.2 mph) | 1996–1999 | |||
| 1.9 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
1Z/AHU | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | 90 PS @ 4,000 | 202 newton metre @ 1,900 | 160 km/h (99.4 mph) | 1996–1999 | |||
| 1.9 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
AFN/AVG | I4 SOHC 8V | 1896 cc | 110 PS @ 4,150 | 235 newton metre @ 1,900 | 175 km/h (108.7 mph) | 1996–1999 | |||
Mk2 (Typ 6L, 2002–2009)
The second generation of the Córdoba was presented at the 2002 Paris Motor Show as the four-door saloon version of the hatchback SEAT IbizaSEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is a car in the European supermini class, constructed by the Spanish car maker SEAT S.A., is SEAT's best-selling car and perhaps the most popular model in the Spanish firm's range....
Mk3 featuring a boot capacity of 485 litres which can be increased to 800 litres by folding rear seats ; no estate or coupé versions though were built in this generation. The SEAT Córdoba Mk2 also shares its chassis and engines with the Volkswagen Polo Mk4
Volkswagen Polo Mk4
The Volkswagen Polo Mk4 is the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Polo that has been sold by the German automaker Volkswagen from early 2002 to 2009 in most countries. It is still being manufactured in South Africa, where it is sold as the Polo Vivo. The MK4 replaced the Volkswagen Polo Mk3 in the...
and Škoda Fabia
Škoda Fabia
The Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
Mk1 & Mk2 : straight-3 12-valve 1.2-litre petrols, straight-4 16-valve 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrols, a straight-4 8-valve 2.0-litre petrol, a straight-3 1.4 litre TDI turbodiesel, a 1.9-litre SDI and a 1.9-litre TDI turbodiesel in 100 bhp and 130 bhp variants.
As of February 2009, the SEAT Córdoba was available with the following engines: 1.6, 1.4 and 1.2 petrol, 1.9 and 1.4 diesel.
In Mexico, Córdoba production continues in the Volkswagen de México Puebla assembly plant. It has the VW 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre. 115 bhp engine combined with a 5-speed manual or an optional 6-speed Tiptronic transmission.
Engine choices
| Model | Engine code | Max. power | Dates | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | ||||||||||
| 1.2 12V | AZQ/BME | 64 hp | 10/02-06/06 | |||||||
| 1.2 12V | BXV | 69 hp | 05/06-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.4 16V | BBY/BKY | 75 hp | 09/02-12/07 | |||||||
| 1.4 16V | BXW | 86 hp | 05/06-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.4 16V | BBZ | 100 hp | 10/02-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.6 8V | BAH | 100 hp | 04/03-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.6 16V | BTS | 105 hp | 11/06-11/09 | |||||||
| 2.0 8V | AZL/BBX | 115 hp | 09/02-11/09 | |||||||
| Diesel engines | ||||||||||
| 1.4 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
BNM | 68 hp | 05/05-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.4 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
AMF | 75 hp | 10/02-12/05 | |||||||
| 1.4 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
BMS/BNV | 80 hp | 05/05-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.9 SDI Suction Diesel Injection The SDI engine is a design of naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine developed and produced by Volkswagen Group for use in cars and vans, along with marine engine and Volkswagen Industrial Motor applications.... |
ASY | 64 hp | 09/02-12/05 | |||||||
| 1.9 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
ATD/AXR/BMT | 100 hp | 09/02-11/09 | |||||||
| 1.9 TDI Turbocharged Direct Injection TDI or Turbocharged Direct Injection is a design of turbodiesel engines, which feature turbocharging and cylinder-direct fuel injection, developed and produced by Volkswagen Group. These TDI engines are widely used in all mainstream Volkswagen Group marques of passenger cars and light commercial... |
ASZ/BLT | 131 hp | 10/02-07/09 | |||||||
Sales and production figures
In the year 2009, the total annual retail sales number of SEAT Córdoba cars was 6,324 vehicles, while the annual production of SEAT Córdoba vehicles came up to 4,861 units.The total production per year of SEAT Córdoba cars, manufactured in SEAT and other Volkswagen group's plants, is shown in the following table :
| model | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT Córdoba Total annual production |
108,749 | 111,894 | 97,685 | 78,770 | 58,646 | 59,348 | 46,821 | 37,568 | 31,058 | 29,747 | 20,439 | 4,861 |