Skoda 130 RS and Fabia RS Rally2: A 50-Year Motorsport Journey

From the iconic 130 RS to the modern Fabia RS Rally2, explore how 50 years transformed Skoda’s rally cars in design, safety, and performance.

Skoda Auto’s 130th anniversary offers the perfect backdrop for a compelling comparison — one that spans five decades of motorsport development. On one side stands the iconic Skoda 130 RS of 1975, a symbol of rallying tenacity from the Cold War era. On the other, its modern descendant: the Fabia RS Rally2, a machine built for speed, safety, and sustainability.

The meeting took place at Sosnova Circuit, where two generations of drivers added depth to the story. John Haugland, the legendary Norwegian who raced for Skoda for over 25 years, reunited with the 130 RS. Sharing the track was Andreas Mikkelsen, reigning WRC2 World Champion, piloting the cutting-edge Fabia RS Rally2.

Launched in 1975, the 130 RS quickly became a force in European motorsport. Its class victory at the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally and top-ten finishes at the Acropolis Rally exemplified its competitive edge. Built using parts from Skoda's road cars — including its pedals, dash, and even steering column — the 130 RS demanded not just skill, but physical endurance.

“There was no power steering, long steering ratios, and you had to work the clutch like in the old days,” Haugland recalls. “The rear-mounted engine made things lively in corners. You really had to work with the car.”

In contrast, the Fabia RS Rally2 is the product of meticulous motorsport engineering. A 1.6-liter turbocharged engine delivers around 290 horsepower while running on fully sustainable fuel. A sequential gearbox eliminates the need for clutch work mid-drive. Safety is central: a 35.8-meter steel roll cage, carbon-Kevlar composites, and automatic fire suppression create a cocoon of protection.

Yet the true leap lies in the cockpit philosophy. While the 130 RS resembled a production car inside, the Fabia is tailored for maximum control. Everything — seat position, pedals, steering — is optimized for feedback and speed. “The RS Rally2 adapts easily to any surface or style,” says Mikkelsen. “It’s fast, precise, and confidence-inspiring.”

This is more than a comparison of specifications; it's a glimpse into how rallying has evolved. The 130 RS embodied a time when intuition and brute effort ruled. The RS Rally2 represents the culmination of decades of refinement — where performance, safety, and even environmental responsibility are no longer mutually exclusive.

Source: skoda-storyboard.com