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The newly-developed RS Rally2 is based on the 4th-Gen Fabia and is ready to go wild on gravel and snow, and packs some clever features.

There's no denying the fact that rally cars are so cool, enthusiasts even collect scale models of these icons. Now, Skoda is a lesser-known automaker that comes under the Volkswagen Umbrella; and they have a very rich history in rallying. Their Academy also recently churned out a cool student-built Skoda Afriq-based rally car concept, that had a sustainable twist. The new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 has been designed to take on the Rally2 category, and its aerodynamics and stiff bodywork have been retained from the production model.

Skoda Motorsport has worked on improving the powertrain, electronics, safety, and more importantly, the handling. The grease monkeys have also developed a new 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine, based on the 2.0-liter TSI unit from the EA888 engine series, which are found working in Skoda's RS performance models.

The new paint job reflects the sporty intentions of the RS series cars - and the Mamba Green you see gives us visuals of the Octavia RS and the Enyaq Coupe RS iV. To get the RS Rally2 ready for some rally action, Skoda Motorsport has put the car through its paces on asphalt, gravel, and snow for close to a year, in various places like Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Croatia. Even Finland was chosen to test the car in extreme winter conditions.

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The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 features rally-specific components, like a roll cage and a protected fuel tank. It also uses sensors for engine management and displaying the brake pressure, fuel, and steering wheel position. The engine control unit uses sensor data, ensuring the functioning of all the driving modes. This rally car also features brake discs that are internally ventilated, to ensure cooling at all times. There's even an optimized brake cooling system for gravel and asphalt stages.

The car also uses a special fuel tank and shock-resistant rubber to comply with the FIA's regulations. The tank is protected by a Carbon/Kevlar composite cover and an absorbent layer beneath. A special foam filling will not allow fuel to leak. A new roll cage has been developed for the new Fabia RS Rally2, comprising high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel tubing, which is welded to the chassis during the making of the body, soon after which, the roof and side panels are mounted.

The Fabia RS Rally2 comes with a chassis that's been designed and developed to meet the intense demands of the rallying sport. The MacPherson struts are stiffer than the ones on the earlier rally-spec car, and there's lesser friction in the dampers on the new rally model. The longer wheelbase also meant they had to come up with new suspension kinematics.

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The fourth-generation Fabia's design can easily be seen in its rally cousin. There's a nice roof spoiler with lateral finlets; the sharp-looking headlights from the production car make it to the rally version, and so does the hexagonal Skoda grille. The lights at the front and rear come with LEDs, and the RS Rally2 comes with winder front and rear wings and multiple air outlets on the body. As for the paintwork - it cannot go unnoticed.

Skoda Motorsport has improved the downforce, and it allows for better, higher cornering speeds. However, notice that there is no radiator louver from the production car, found on the rally car, due to certain norms within the FIA. The air curtains in the front bumpers of the production car have made it to the RS Rally2. Combined with new side skirts, they increase downforce.

Since the engine and brakes need more cooling, this is supplied via special aerodynamic components in the RS Rally2. Up-front, the car features two huge central air inlets that give way for fresh air into the radiator that is further directed into the upper section of the engine and turbocharger intercooler, which is found below. There are openings on either side of the bonnet that let out hot air.

As per the FIA's Rally2 norms, every car in this specific category needs to have a 1.6-liter turbo petrol engine based on a production vehicle. Skoda Motorsport has based the RS Rally2's engine on the 2.0-liter TSI unit, further incorporating an exhaust manifold from the EA888 engine series, used in Skoda's RS models.

This newly developed 4-cylinder engine features optimized pistons and a combustion chamber, a redesigned lubrication system for an improved combustion process, redesigned intake and exhaust ports, and a tweaked exhaust system, featuring a new turbocharger, intercooler, and cooling circuit with a far better cooling capacity. The Fabia RS Rally2 also features new engine management software. The engine produces 289hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.

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No airbags in rally cars, because the G-forces are intense, and that could trigger the sensors and electronic control systems to react, but what the Fabia RS Rally2 gets instead, is a roll cage, side protection made of energy-absorbing foam, and carbon fiber. In addition to that, the driver and co-driver get six-point harnesses and racing seats with head protection.

Having been successful in multiple championships and wins over the last 13 years, the Fabia has proved to be an immensely capable rally car formula for Skoda. With the new model, we expect things to be dialed up even further.

Rehan got published for the first time at the age of 17, having written a feature on a Triumph Herald in print. He uses his writing as a tool to express his fondness for all things automotive even today, aged 28. Collecting scale models is a hobby close to his heart, and he wishes to sprinkle pixie dust on them only to see them grow into full-sized cars. He now represents HotCars.com.