Skoda have signalled their intention to get serious in World Rallying by unveiling their new WRC machine, the Fabia. The team heralded the new car as beginning a "new generation" of World Rally Car.
Former world champion and Skoda driver Didier Auriol said he was excited about the prospect of working on the new Fabia WRC: "If it wasn't for this car then I wouldn't be here. I didn't come back for the Octavia - I came for the Fabia, woo percent."
For several seasons the Skoda team, part of the Volkswagen Group, had peddled the uncompetitive Octavia WRC. A big, heavy car its best results came on the now defunct Safari Rally where its strength and reliability shown through. But up against smaller, faster models such as the Peugeot 206 and Subaru Impreza, the car struggled on most rounds of the WRC calendar.
Director of Volkswagen Groups Motorsport Franz Joseph Befgen said: "Skoda used to be boring 12 years ago, but now it is ready to join the exclusive club of winners in the World Rally Championship."
Design work on the Fabia began in February of 2002 and former champion Auriol is confident that the new car will raise not only Skoda's standing in World Rallying but also raise the bar for their rivals.
"This in the car which will begin the next generation of rally cars," concluded the Frenchman.
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