ŠKODA RS models: Sporty by tradition

› The RS designation was added to the 180 RS and 200 RS rally prototypes for the first time in 1974
› The Czech carmaker’s sporty production models have also featured the acronym since 2000
› The RS portfolio currently includes the OCTAVIA RS, OCTAVIA RS iV, KODIAQ RS and the all-electric ENYAQ COUPÉ RS iV
› The FABIA RS Rally2 model designation forges a link to the legendary ‘Monte’ winner, the ŠKODA 130 RS

Mladá Boleslav, 11 October 2022 – RS – these two letters have been synonymous with ‘Rally Sport’ and high performance at ŠKODA for around 50 years. The Czech car manufacturer is set on continuing its series of successes in the Rally2 category with the FABIA RS Rally2 – the newest member of ŠKODA’s RS family. Since 2000, the designation has also been used to denote the company’s sporty production models. The current portfolio includes the OCTAVIA RS and OCTAVIA RS iV with plug-in hybrid drive, as well as the KODIAQ RS SUV and the all-electric ENYAQ COUPÉ RS iV. The RS models highlight how motorsport and production vehicles mutually benefit from transferring technology.

“RS – at ŠKODA, these two letters symbolise decades of motorsport tradition and countless victories on the international race tracks and rally circuits. As a new member of the RS family, the new FABIA RS Rally2 has all the credentials to continue this success story. At the same time, our RS production models have delivered outstanding performance and sportiness for over 20 years.”

Johannes Neft, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Technical Development

Short for ‘Rally Sport’, ŠKODA first introduced the ‘RS’ designation for the ŠKODA 180 RS and 200 RS rally prototypes in 1974. The car manufacturer presented the legendary 130 RS in 1975, and it still holds a special place in the company’s history, owing to its numerous motorsport successes. Developed for racing, the two-door coupé based on the ŠKODA 110 R series model weighs just 720 kilograms thanks to its lightweight construction with body parts made of aluminium (roof and outer skin of the doors) and glass fibre-reinforced GRP plastic (wings and front bonnet). By 1983, the rear-wheel drive model with a 140 hp 1.3-litre engine had celebrated numerous successes on the international rally tracks and circuits. In 1977, the ŠKODA 130 RS, also known as the ‘Porsche of the East’, finished first and second in its class at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally and also won the Acropolis Rally. On the circuit, it clinched overall victory in the European Touring Car Championship in 1981.

In its model designation, the current FABIA RS Rally2 recalls the successes of the 130 RS and brings the legendary combination of letters back to the rally track. The successor to the FABIA Rally2 evo, the most successful rally car in its category, benefits from the best-in-class aerodynamics of the current fourth-generation FABIA production model as well as its particularly rigid body. Its new 1.6-litre turbo engine is based on the 2.0 TSI from the EA888 engine series that ŠKODA also installs in the OCTAVIA RS and KODIAQ RS.

For more than two decades, ŠKODA has also been using the designation for the sporty range topping versions of some production vehicles. Debuting in 2000, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS featured a 132 kW (180 hp) 1.8-litre turbo engine, sports suspension and a striking rear spoiler. It was initially available as a saloon, with a COMBI version launched two years later. Since then, ŠKODA has also offered RS versions of both OCTAVIA body variants. The second-generation OCTAVIA RS, introduced in 2005, came with a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine generating 147 kW (200 hp). In addition, the range was expanded to include a 2.0-litre 125 kW (170 hp) diesel engine. The first time the 135 kW (184 hp) 2.0 TDI was also available in combination with all-wheel drive was in the third OCTAVIA RS released in 2013. The output of the 2.0 TSI petrol engine increased from the original 162 kW (220 hp) to 180 kW (245 hp) during its production period. The fourth generation introduced in 2020 brought with it the first-ever OCTAVIA RS iV with plug-in hybrid drive, offering a 180 kW (245 hp) system output.

On the heels of the first OCTAVIA RS’ success, ŠKODA expanded the RS family in 2003 to include a FABIA RS, featuring a 1.9 TDI engine with a 96 kW (130 hp) output. In 2010, the company launched the RS variant of the second-generation FABIA. The 132 kW (180 hp) 1.4-litre petrol engine had dual-charging via a compressor and turbocharger, with a 7-speed DSG providing the power transmission. The FABIA RS was also available as a COMBI for the first time. Released in 2018, the KODIAQ RS became the first SUV model in the ŠKODA RS family. The seven-seater initially sported a 2.0 TDI with biturbo charging, delivering 176 kW (240 hp). Since the 2021 model revision, the KODIAQ RS has been powered by a 2.0 TSI 180 kW (245 hp) petrol engine. The brand’s first all-electric RS model, the ENYAQ COUPÉ RS iV, joined the range in 2022. With a system output of 220 kW (299 hp)*, it is currently ŠKODA’s most powerful production model. And in the near future, ŠKODA will be adding another model to the RS family.

Topping the current model range, the ENYAQ COUPÉ RS iV offers a comprehensive range of standard equipment, including its Crystal Face with 131 LEDs lighting up the vertical ribs of the ŠKODA grille as well as a horizontal light strip. All four wheels are driven by two electric motors. These accelerate ŠKODA’s first all-electric RS model from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h.

The Design Selections RS Lounge and RS Suite are available for the interior of the ENYAQ COUPÉ RS iV. The black seats in the RS Lounge design selection are upholstered in Suedia microfibre and feature lime-coloured piping and contrast stitching. The contrast stitching on the heated leather multifunction sports steering wheel bearing the RS badge is in the same colour. Black Suedia with decorative stitching is also featured on the dashboard. The optional Design Selection RS Suite adds visual highlights with black perforated leather, grey piping and contrast stitching, featured not only on the seats but also on the multifunction sports leather steering wheel. The leather-look dashboard also sports contrast stitching.