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› ŠKODA FABIA #wrc was the brand’s second and last vehicle after OCTAVIA #wrc to compete in top rally category WRC
› Compact #racing car featured all-wheel drive and three active differentials
› Czech car manufacturer built 2,500 units of FABIA RS for FABIA #wrc homologation
› ŠKODA Motorsport works driver Jan Kopecký makes a name for himself in international rallying with ŠKODA FABIA WRC
Mladá Boleslav, 3 December 2021 – After the first-generation FABIA made its debut in 1999, the small car quickly became a mainstay of the model portfolio after the OCTAVIA. As a rally derivative, it also celebrated international success and continued the OCTAVIA WRC’s
impressive results in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
In addition to the complete selection of images accompanying this press release, the ŠKODA Storyboard also offers a 32-page brochure and a comprehensive selection of articles and features on various topics from 120 years of ŠKODA Motorsport.
The ŠKODA Motorsport works team had achieved numerous strong results on the international rally tracks with the ŠKODA OCTAVIA #wrc, giving them the expertise they needed to develop and field more vehicles in the top category. In the first half of 2002, rumours were circulating that the ŠKODA Motorsport works team was working on a new model – the ŠKODA FABIA #wrc. The then ŠKODA #auto CEO Vratislav Kulhánek finally commented on these speculations at the Cyprus Rally. The question was no longer whether, but when and where the new rally vehicle would be making its debut.
At the press conference for the start of the Monte Carlo Rally 2003, the ŠKODA Motorsport works team also officially confirmed the development of the new vehicle, and the ŠKODA FABIA #wrc was unveiled in Geneva in early March 2003. Extensive tests were carried out over the following months; the then number 1 and number 2 of the works team, Didier Auriol and Toni Gardemeister, as well as the test drivers Kenneth Eriksson and Matthias Kahle all took the wheel.
The FABIA #wrc was based on the first-generation ŠKODA FABIA RS, a five-door hatchback with a 130 hp TDI engine. For the #racing car’s homologation, the Czech car manufacturer first had to build 2,500 units of the FABIA RS. After a three-day inspection by FIA officials in Mladá Boleslav, it was finally homologated on 1 July 2003 – now, nothing stood in the way of its first competitive
appearance.
Further information in the press release to download
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