The VW Group’s Czech subsidiary Skoda has unveiled the Fabia R2, a new race-spec mode intended for the popular R2 rally category. Based on the series production Fabia, the R2 features significant changes to the engine, chassis, suspension and gearbox.
Compared to the road car, the Fabia R2 has a rally-tuned suspension and a modified chassis, while the engine is a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline unit with 16 valves that develops 132 kW (177 horsepower) and 194 Nm of peak torque (143 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed sequentially operated gearbox made by Sadev, with the electronics coming from Italian specialist Magneti-Marelli.
“It’s great that from now on, we’re offering a rally vehicle for a wider range of customers looking for a reliable and affordable race car. Given our successful tradition and development in motor sports beyond the Czech Republic, the new Fabia R2 is just a logical result of our activities,” said Jan Hurt, Skoda manager for sales and marketing for the Central and Eastern European region.
The car was developed, tested and prepared for rallies for almost two years, with the help of motor sports specialist Impromat Car, which will also assume the distribution of the vehicle.
The Skoda Fabia R2 has received the FIA homologation and can participate in rallies right away, but not before the owner pays a purchase price of €62,000 or about $86,200 at today’s exchanges rates.
By Dan Mihalascu
