● Fabia Monte Carlo celebrates premiere in Geneva
● ŠKODA enjoys major racing success in 2010
● ŠKODA Motorsport to intensify operations in 2011 by entering the S-WRC series
Few carmakers can boast a tradition of motor sport stretching back for more than a hundred years. ŠKODA, headquartered in the Czech town of Mladá Boleslav, is one of them, celebrating the 110th anniversary of its sports activities in 2011. To mark the occasion, ŠKODA is exhibiting its sporty Fabia Monte Carlo at the Geneva Motor Show. This is a move by the brand to pass on its sports success to its normal models so that customers can share in the rally victories which culminated in 2010 with the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) series title and six national championships (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Spain and Lebanon). This year, ŠKODA plans to step up its activities. Together with its partner, Red Bull, it will be debuting the Red Bull ŠKODA team in selected races in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC). The top driver – as in the IRC series – is the Finn Juho Hänninen, partnered by co-driver Mikko Markkula, in a Fabia Super 2000. Hermann Gassner Jr and Katharina Wüstenhagen make up their crew.
The appeal of the Fabia Monte Carlo
The Fabio Monte Carlo is a tribute to the brand’s extraordinary success in this and other famous events. The dynamic styling of this sporty model is underscored by the sports chassis and black plastic covers on the lower parts of the bodywork, delivered as standard. The exterior is characterized by further black features: the roof, the exterior mirror housings, the Comet 16” alloy wheels and the grille. The tinted headlights also give a sporty impression. The interior of this all-action model appeals with sports seats and black trim on the ceiling, already used in the RS version. The upholstery is available in either black or red-and-black. The leather package includes perforated-leather steering wheel and a leather hand brake grip and gear shift lever. These leather accessories are delivered with red stitching. The decorative door sills and pedal covers are made of stainless steel.
The equipment used in the Fabia Monte Carlo is based on the Ambiente trim of this successful small car. Depending on the market, the engines available for the new model are the 1.2 HTP/44 kW, 1.2 12V HTP/51 kW, 1.4 kW 16V/63 kW, 1.2 TSI/63 kW and 77 kW, as well as the 1.2 TDI CR DPF/55 kW and 1.6 TDI CR DPF/55 kW, 66 kW and 77 kW. All the Fabia Monte Carlo’s engines come with five-speed manual transmission.
2010 – a successful year in motor sport
2010 was one of the most successful years in the sports history of ŠKODA, the company from the Czech town of Mladá Boleslav. ŠKODA was the trailblazer in the IRC’s 2010 season, with the factory team winning the manufacturers’ title and Juho Hänninen and his co-driver Mikko Markkula coming top in the drivers’ standings, ahead of their team-mates Jan Kopecký and Petr Starý. ŠKODA won seven IRC rallies. In addition, the Czech car manufacturer won six national championships with its Fabia Super 2000.
“The 2010 season was fantastic for ŠKODA. It was one of the most successful years in our history of almost 110 years of motor sport. It is extremely gratifying that this success has also paid commercial dividends. The entire company is proud of this historic achievement. We will remain involved in motor sports in the coming years”, said Winfried Vahland, ŠKODA Chairman, as he praised this success.
ŠKODA set to maintain high profile in motor sport
In 2011, ŠKODA will keep its foot on the pedal and its eye on the road as it seeks to defend both its titles in the IRC series. Freddy Loix’s second place in a Fabia Super 2000 at the 100th Rallye Monte Carlo in late January was a great start to the new season. What is more, this year the Czech carmaker, together with its partner Red Bull, will be entering selected races in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC) for the first time. The main driver here will, again, be the Finn Juho Hänninen in a Fabia Super 2000. The car design has been slightly modified compared to last year. The hallmark remains the striking shade of green; the green-and-white combination used in the special racing Fabia Super 2000 has been inverted since last year. The logo “110 Years of Motor Sport” on the front doors is reference to this year’s anniversary.
