Skoda Fabia R5 set to redefine rally racing

Since 1998, Skoda has gained a strong presence in international rally championships along with a string of titles and a throng of fans...

Since 1998, Skoda has gained a strong presence in international rally championships along with a string of titles and a throng of fans. So when Skoda revealed the Fabia R5 rally car, racing enthusiasts were excited to see the new offering by the Czech automobile manufacturer.

The Fabia R5 is the successor to the Fabia Super 2000. The new car has a 1.6-liter turbo engine under its hood, which is mated to a sequential five-speed transmission, and channels at least 265bhp of power to all four wheels. It was green-lighted by the FIA on 1 April, and will compete in WRC 2, APRC and Czech rally championship events this year.

“We are delighted that the International Automobile Federation, the FIA, homologated our new Skoda Fabia R5. Now we want to see how competitive our new rally car is,” said Skoda Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek.