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Skoda introduced the fourth-generation Fabia a little over a year ago and it was only a matter of time before the supermini would put on a race outfit. The day has finally come when the Czech brand has unveiled the new Fabia RS Rally2, which despite being based on the same MQB A0 platform, the subcompact hatchback has undergone major changes. Wearing the Mamba Green, the pocket rocket has nearly double the downforce of its predecessor.
While the road car comes exclusively with front-wheel drive and produces 150 horsepower, the Fabia RS Rally2 is an AWD engine with 291 hp. Motivation is provided by a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters to meet regulations and pump out a massive 430 Newton-meters (316 pound-feet) of torque. This engine is based on VW Group’s familiar 2.0 TSI and sends power to both axles thanks to a five-speed sequential gearbox.
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Skoda’s motorsport division has equipped the Fabia RS Rally2 with front and rear mechanical axle differentials. Interestingly, engineers have added electro-hydraulic control of the inter-axle clutch to release the front and rear axles using the handbrake. This feature will come in handy when taking sharp corners. Needless to say, the chassis has been completely changed compared to the road car, while the wheel sizes are 15 inches (with 300 mm discs) for gravel competition and 18 inches (with 355 mm front and 300 mm discs) when racing on asphalt.
To comply with FIA regulations, the Fabia RS Rally2 has an 82.5 liter fuel tank made of special nylon and rubber with special foam on the inside to reduce the risk of fuel leakage. The tank housing is made from a combination of Kevlar and fiberglass while the fuel used is 100 percent synthetic, which comes from completely renewable sources.
Top speed is definitely not a top priority for a rally car, which is why the Fabia RS Rally2 only reaches 124 mph (200 km/h). It has a short gear ratio to maximize acceleration and has a special suspension with MacPherson supports on the front and rear axles. As you know, it is much wider than the road model and has a roof scoop for better airflow and to supply fresh air in the cabin.
Don’t get your hopes up too high for the new Fabia RS because it just won’t happen. About a year ago, former Skoda CEO Thomas Schäfer ruled out a hot hatch return, claiming it would be too difficult to build a business case for it. However, we want to remind you that VW is still selling the Polo GTI as a DSG-only model with 207 hp and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque.
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