Geneva Motor Show: Skoda's rally-ready S2000 concept
Click image for hi-res photo gallery
Geneva was the venue at which Czech automaker Skoda introduced its new Fabia hatchback. While the Fabia's nice and all, the real eye candy at the company's booth is clearly the Fabia-based S2000 concept. The name refers to the Super 2000 regulations the show car conforms to, and it serves as confirmation that Skoda is hard at work preparing a customer-ready Super 2000-spec racer for use in FIA Rally events. The enclosed press release is short on detail, confirming only that the car features a 2.0-liter engine (naturally), roll cage (obviously), four-wheel-drive (a racer-specific addition), and other S2K-compliant features. Sadly, no power output for the car's engine is given. We'll guess that the final product should dish out significantly more than 200 horsepower, since the other Super 2000 rally cars we've covered here at Autoblog-- the new Australian TRD Corolla team car and Peugeot's 207 -- produce 255 and 280 horsepower respectively.
[Source: Skoda]
Gallery: Skoda S2000 Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
MOTOR SPORT AT HEART: THE RALLY STUDY SUPER 2000
It has long since been a tradition, that Škoda Auto presents studies at the major automobile exhibitions affording a look into the future of the automobile. As a result of a decision taken by the Board of Management in December 2006, the more than one hundred year old motor sport tradition in Mladá Boleslav will be continued. The Study S2000 is the implementation of this idea in reality. The S2000 is a concept car on the basis of the new Fabia and is intended for the future involvement of the Škoda brand in rally sport. The Study S2000 has been designed to comply with the new FIA Rally Regulations. This category is on the best way to becoming the most attractive form of rally in the future. However, the Super 2000 is not only intended to be powerful but also affordable, thus making it the ideal offer for private teams and young talents wishing to enter the sport at national and international levels.
In accordance with the regulations, the car will have a two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. The Study S2000 exhibits fundamental benchmark data – 3,992 millimetres in length with a wheelbase of
2,486 millimetres correspond to the values of the new Fabia. A clear difference to the serial model, however, is the four-wheel drive. The roll cage in the interior and further parts of the car comply with the Super 2000 regulations.
Škoda Auto celebrated a major jubilee in the year 2001 in its 100-year history of motor sport. With the new Study 2000 designed on the basis of the new Fabia, the tradition of rally sport will be continued.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
K 11:37AM (3/09/2007)
S2000?
they couldn't come up with a more original name?
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Adam 11:45AM (3/09/2007)
That is a car I would like to see in the U.S.
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grimey559 11:47AM (3/09/2007)
S2000=Super 2000
2000 being the limit of the engine 2000cc or 2 liters
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skeptic 12:25PM (3/09/2007)
S2000 = Honda....?
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Carletti 12:23PM (3/09/2007)
This is a gorgeous car, in my view. I would contend that the mainstream Fabia is a good car for the price but its cousin, the Golf, is better in terms of exterior appearance. But this rally-inspired Fabia is just a monster. In essence, this Fabia variant represents the best of what I, personally, would prefer a sport hatch to contain (except the four door system on this car). That is, a very tight rear coupled with a lower stance and a car that is very compact and traditional, one that hugs the tires, and a functional open greenhouse. If Skoda were to offer this auto in the future, I would only prefer one without the wing, the graphics, the scoop on the roof, the metallic on the hood, and the front diffuser.
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Carletti 12:33PM (3/09/2007)
Respective sirs, it is clear as crystal that the article does not reference the Honda S2000 as a naming label influence. Instead, "S2000" is a rally name indicating participation in rally events. Peugeot has an "S2000" car just as well with the 207. And so does Toyota with its Corolla variant "S2000."
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oren 12:48PM (3/09/2007)
looks sorta like a Mini, but i like! Rally is the best form of motorsport!
http://www.montrealvip.com/montrealgrandprix.html
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Dave Leblanc 3:28PM (3/09/2007)
Awsome! A 4 door Mini!(Thats what it looks like)
Honestly, I saw a short video clip of the car Skoda entered in WRC a couple of years ago and I thought they did a nice job then. This one is even better looking.
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thisislame 3:47PM (3/09/2007)
S2000 is Honda all the way.
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Dave Leblanc 11:34PM (3/10/2007)
Tell Skoda to take off the "God awfull" graphics on the side and tell us how much horsepower it has and Ill think about buying one--should that car ever be sold in Canada.
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