Skoda presents its new Fabia RS Rally2

Skoda Motorsport has chosen to present its new car in its Mlada Boleslav lair in the Czech Republic (60 km from Prague). After several months of development, the team led by Michal Hrabanek has lifted the veil on a car based on the fourth generation of the Fabia. Numerous test sessions were carried out in several countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Croatia, etc.) and on all surfaces by Andreas Mikkelsen, Jan Kopecky, Kris Meeke or Marco Bulacia in order to achieve the objective set by the boss. “ Standing still means going backwards and this is especially true in motorsport, explains Hrabanek. That is why, to develop our Fabia, we applied the experience gained on the previous model and optimized every detail. The goal was to improve the car rally the most efficient in the world. » The challenge was significant, because since its launch in 2015, the one that succeeded the Fabia S2000 has established itself as a benchmark in its category. Different versions followed one another with success in common. According to April totals, the R5, Rally2 and Rally2 Evo have amassed more than 1710 victories, 4 podiums and won titles across the globe. More than 116 cars were sold, which represents a third of the Rally450s on the market. Called Fabia RS Rally2, this Skoda makes the link between the past with the 2 RS of the 130s and 70s and the present, since the most efficient models of the brand (Octavia and Enyaq Coupé) bear the letters RS. The Mamba Green color also matches these two standard models.

Despite this launch, Skoda Motorsport does not intend to change a sporting policy instituted since 2020. While it had been officially committed for years, the manufacturer modified its involvement by withdrawing and instead developing a efficient customer service. It is the German team Toksport WRT based at the Nürburgring which has become the spearhead of Skoda in WRC2 or in ERC and who will be responsible for supervising the RS Rally2 participations. The latter differs in particular from the previous version by its wider body and a longer wheelbase which will offer further improved weight distribution and has resulted in new suspension kinematics. With the best drag coefficient in its category as standard, the engineers were able to develop a very effective aerodynamic kit which allows the car to generate almost twice as much downforce as before. In the bowels of the Czech car, the technicians did not skimp on safety by composing a rollbar with 35,8 meters of high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel tubes welded to the chassis. In order to fight with the C3 Rally2, Polo R5 and Hyundai i20 Rally2, the Fabia incorporates a new 1,6l turbo engine based on the 2l TSI from the EA888 series developing around 289 hp. With the difficulties that exist in the production of the pieces, the debut in competition should only take place after the summer at the Acropolis (September 8-11). If initially 4 cars were hoped for, it will perhaps only be with two examples at first.

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