The history of cars with the nickname RS begins in 1974, when the racing specials Skoda 180 RS and Skoda 200 RS were created. One of the most successful competition cars of the 70s and 80s of the 20th century is the legendary Skoda 130 RS . The first modern RS model was the Skoda Octavia RS introduced in 2000. Since 2003, the RS variant has also been offered in the Fabia model line. The RS designation is synonymous with the success of the Skoda brand in motorsport, the performance and emotional power of selected production models. In this way, we express the magnificent sporting tradition of our brand in a unique way."
1974: Extraordinary competition specials Skoda 180 RS and 200 RS
Skoda first used the abbreviation RS to designate the model in 1974. The competition specials Skoda 180 RS and 200 RS are considered the founders of the RS dynasty and belong to the brand's golden fund of racing cars. The aim of their development was to enable Skoda to compete in higher, high-volume classes and successfully compete with renowned brands on race tracks. After only six months of preparation, in the spring of 1974, Skoda presents three supersports (one 180 RS car, two 200 RS cars), which in June of the same year entered the start of the official car competition for the first time, which at that time was the Skoda Rally .
Under the hood of the Skoda 200 RS is a two-liter four-cylinder with OHC distribution and an output of 120 kW (163 hp). The maximum speed of the special is 210 km/h. The car convinced not only with acceleration and high speed, but also with excellent driving characteristics, to which the newly developed rear axle with trailing arms made a significant contribution. The gearbox was supplied by Porsche .
Skoda 130 RS: The birth of a legend in motorsport
Based on the positive experience with the 200 RS car, the responsible officials at the Mladá Boleslav car company came to the conclusion to produce a versatile competition car. Just one year later, in the season of 1975, the Skoda 130 RS car takes to the international racing track. The brand has six years ahead of it, during which it will reap one success after another in automotive competitions. The Skoda 130 RS became one of the most successful racing cars of its time and, until the beginning of the 80s, significantly affected the results lists both in rallies and in circuit races. For many motoring fans, the 130 RS was the "Porsche of the East". The success of this car benefits the good reputation of motorsport under the Skoda brand to this day. The Skoda 130 RS achieved its greatest success at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1977, where it took the first two places in the volume class up to 1300 cm3. On the circuits, "Ereso" won the European Touring Car Championship in 1981. This car also won many times at the most important domestic competitions, such as the Barum Rallye , Rallye Bohemia or Rallye Šumava .
The heart of the car is a four-cylinder with a volume of 1.3 liters and an output of 103 kW (140 hp), located at the rear and driving the rear axle. The racing characteristics of the engine correspond to its construction, where, among other things, two Weber carburettors, an eight-channel head and lubrication with a dry case were used. This competition special with a length of approximately 4 meters, a width of 1.72 meters and a height of 1.34 meters reaches a maximum speed of up to 220 km/h, depending on the transmission. In 1981, the production of 130 RS cars was stopped and thus the tradition of cars with the RS designation was interrupted for almost 20 years.
Skoda Octavia RS (2000-2005): The RS goes into series production
At the turn of the millennium, Skoda once again set new standards for the sports versions of production cars, with a direct reference to the era of RS cars. In 2000, the car company presents the Skoda Octavia RS model. Octavia , the brand's first completely newly developed model after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Volkswagen Group's entry into the car industry, premiered four years earlier. Now the brand's bestseller has received its own RS version intended for end customers as the first ever model. A powerful engine, driving dynamics and sporty charisma combined with all the advantages of a family car – all this contributed to the captivating nature of this concept.
The car has a 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder with an output of 132 kW (180 hp), combined with a five-speed manual transmission. The first Octavia RS can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, the maximum speed reaches 235 km/h. The Octavia RS of the first generation was produced between 2000 and 2005. In 2001, an exceptional action model goes on sale, which soon attracts a lot of attention. On the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the Mladá Boleslav brand's involvement in motorsport, a limited, stochastic edition of Skoda Octavia RS WRC Edition cars is being presented. It has unmistakable design elements that are meant to emphasize its sporty appearance even more. These include, among other things, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and xenon headlights. In addition, the car is equipped with an ESC system as standard. There are also decals and a WRC -style wing.
SKODA Fabia RS first generation (2003-2007)
In 2003, the car company expands the portfolio of its RS models by a second series and starts selling the sporty Skoda Fabia RS . The first "hot hatch" of the Mladá Boleslav brand is powered by a 1.9 TDI PD/96 kW (130 hp) turbodiesel , whose power is transmitted to the front wheels by a six-speed manual gearbox. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, with a maximum speed of 204 km/h. The first generation Fabia RS was produced between 2003 and 2007.
SKODA Octavia RS second generation (2005-2013)
With the second generation of the Octavia model, the new Octavia RS also comes in 2005. The second generation of this sports version was produced until 2013. In addition to the liftback, the RS version now also received a station wagon. It was offered in two engines. The customer could choose between a turbocharged two-liter gasoline four-cylinder with an output of 147 kW (200 hp) or a turbodiesel of the same volume with an output of 125 kW (170 hp). Both engines could be combined with either a manual six-speed transmission or, for the first time, also a dual-clutch six-speed DSG transmission . The gasoline engine accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds (for the first generation it was 7.9 seconds) and the maximum speed attacked the 240 km/h mark.
Skoda Fabia RS second generation (from 2010)
At the Geneva Motor Show in 2010, the second generation Skoda Fabia RS was presented for the first time. Since then, the small sports car has been offered in hatchback and station wagon versions for the first time. The smallest "Ereso" of the brand is equipped with a powerful engine: the four-cylinder 1.4 TSI twin-turbocharged petrol engine generates 132 kW (180 hp) and, in combination with the standard seven-speed dual-clutch transmission DSG , contributes to the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7 .3 seconds. The maximum speed reaches 224 km/h.
Current Skoda Octavia RS: The fastest mass-produced Octavia
Even in its third generation, the Octavia RS sets new standards among sporty models. Customers can choose between a liftback body and a station wagon, with a top-of-the-line 2.0 TSI petrol unit with 162 kW (220 hp) or a 2.0 TDI turbodiesel (135 kW) under the hood. With the petrol engine, the Octavia RS reaches a speed of up to 248 km/h, making it the fastest production car in the Skoda range.
Source: Skoda-Auto Photo: Skoda.panda, Autokaleidoskop, Rallyweb.webgarden, CKmotorsport, Foltyn, Commons.wikimedia, Autowp
