FIA homologates ŠKODA’s new Fabia R 5 rally car

ŠKODA Fabia R 5

 Skoda has taken the wraps off the Fabia R5 rally car which has been homologated by FIA.

In late November last year at Essen Motor Show, Skoda unveiled the Fabia R5 concept and now the VW-owned Czech marque has released images with the production car. Based on the third generation Fabia, the race-spec R5 has received FIA homologation and will replace the Fabia Super 2000.

ŠKODA Fabia R 5

Unlike the road-going Fabia which adopts a front-wheel drive layout, the Fabia R5 comes with a four-wheel drive setup and is powered by a four-cylinder, 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine developing at least 265 bhp (198 kW) sent to both axles through a five-speed sequential gearbox. As per FIA regulations, the rally car has a minimum weight of 1,230 kg (2,711 lbs) and Skoda's engineers have fitted it with McPherson struts.

Prior to receiving homologation, Skoda conducted approximately 10,000 km (6,213 miles) of testing in a wide range of roads and also in various weather conditions to make sure it can tackle any environment.