Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 revealed, no road-going variant planned

Czech manufacturer Skoda has uncovered its latest rally car – the Fabia RS Rally2.

Built for the World Rally Championship's WRC2 category under Rally2 regulations, the race car is based on the latest generation of Skoda's Fabia hatchback, adopting the RS nameplate which adorns the brand's flagship performance variants.

Rather than the 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine found under the bonnet of Skoda's upcoming Fabia Monte Carlo, the rally car instead utilises a 1.6-litre version of the EA888 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine that powers its Octavia RS sibling and high-powerformance Volkswagen Golf cousins, among others.

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This results in outputs of 214kW of power and 430Nm of torque, with drive sent to all four wheels through a five-speed, sequential gearbox rather than the front-wheel drive, seven-speed dual-clutch auto drivetrain of the road car.

Other trick goodies include mechanical front and rear differentials, as well as a short ratio gearbox – limiting the top speed to roughly 200km/h.

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Just like the previous four generations of factory-backed Fabia rally cars, the latest challenger features a more aggressive bodykit than what you can buy from the showroom, with pumped-out guards, air vents and a huge, overhanging rear spoiler setting it apart from what you'd see at the local Woolworths carpark.

All the bodywork isn't just for show – Skoda claims advancements in its aerodynamics have resulted in the new car generating nearly twice the amoung of downforce compared to its predecessor.

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Inside the cabin, the driver and co-driver are as safe as ever, with an automatic on-board fire supression system fitted to both the cockpit and engine bay, while the car's polycarbonate side windows can easily be removed if extracation is needed.

While past rally cars have featured interior tech, the new Fabia takes it to the next level, with more buttons than before on its steering wheel and a touchscreen control panel on the dash – undoubtedly calibrated to work with gloves on.

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Now the bad news.

Unless you're competing in a rally championship, which uses the Rally2 regulations, it's unlikely that you'll be able to buy one, however the business model has been a successful one for Skoda – the Czech firm has sold 63 cars to customers since the Fabia S2000 debuted in 2009.

The Fabia has also made Skoda the most successful manufacturer in the WRC's second tier, with 70 wins recorded and eight championships in a 13-year span.

While it won't be heading to showrooms any time soon, the new Fabia will be coming to Australia later this year, with local buyers offered only the range-topping Monte Carlo variant.