Skoda RS models are known nowadays as performance versions of production vehicles like the Fabia and Octavia, but the Skoda RS story began in 1974 with two racing cars: the Skoda 180 RS and 200 RS. Even the RS initials have something to do with motorsport, standing for Rally Sport according to Skoda historians.
The Skoda 180 RS and 200 RS ran in an official motorsport competition for the first time in June 1974, then known as the Skoda Rally. The two models represented the brand’s entry into top-class rallying. The 200 RS was powered by a 163PS 2.0-liter engine with an overhead camshaft that could propel the car to a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). The engine was linked to a Porsche transmission.
In 1975, Skoda built another RS model, the 130 RS that was to become one of the most successful racing cars of its time. Also known as the “Porsche of the East”, the Skoda 130 RS won the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally in the up to 1,300 cc cylinder capacity category and the 1981 European Touring Car Championship.
The rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car featured a 140PS 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with Weber carburettors for fuel/air mixing, an eight-port cylinder head and dry-sump lubrication. The car was capable of reaching 220 km/h (137 mph). In 1981 the 130 RS was axed and the RS era at Skoda was interrupted for almost 20 years.
Following the Czech manufacturer’s takeover by Volkswagen, the RS moniker returned in 2000 with the gasoline-powered Octavia RS with 180PS, while the diesel-powered Fabia RS with 130PS was born in 2003.
Since then, Skoda built a second generation Octavia RS between 2005 and 2013 (available either with a 200PS 2.0-liter gasoline engine or a 170PS 2.0-liter turbodiesel), a second generation Fabia RS (since 2010) powered by a 1.4-liter petrol engine with 180PS, as well as a third generation Octavia RS. The latter is available either with a 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine with 220PS or a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with 184PS.
By Dan Mihalascu
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