Skoda has released info and pics of the prototype of the new Fabia S2000. The Fabia, is probaly going to race at Rallies, and perhaps Touring car championships.
http://tinyurl.com/26hjj8
http://tinyurl.com/2xewpu
http://tinyurl.com/264ram
the Fabia S2000
280-horsepower
four-cylinder engine
six-speed sequential gearbox
four-wheel-drive
complying with FIA's latest "Super 2000" regulations.
The price tag will likely be around a quarter of a million dollars

The price tag will likely approach a quarter of a million dollars

Why?!?

I mean, yeah, building a race car is expensive, but 250 grand for what amounts to a steroidal hot hatch? It had better do my laundry and pick up the dog doo in the back yard, too.

Come on, VW. That's a ripoff.

Well, this car could go on to be an WRC winning car!, and that makes them very expensive!

$250,000? there is no way in hell that can be right, its a 280bhp 4 banger skoda with a bodykit, and its more expensive than a ferrari f430?

I wont believe this will be more than $70,000 till i see hard evidence and if released at that price i will eat my own hair.

Even with all that I don't think it could compete against WRC cars, 20bhp less than the rest, doesn't look as versatile and looking at the body and arches it looks a little weak to be honest.

I like it. I like the design. It's different form other hatches :) Go skoda, go!!!
Racing cars cost a lot. I've seen like 15 year Lancia Integrale very modified race car for over 150 000 euro. It's a race car. Even the race spec. Citroen Xsara cost like 200 000 euro. I don't know why, though..

250,000 isnt that bad, considering that the ford focus WRC is like 900,000....
i like the skoda thou, it just looks a little bit plastic....

It's $250,000 because if it competes in WRC and Touring Cars, that's a pretty nice price. If they want motorsport success they'll have to find sponsors and drivers....Skoda have already raced in the WRC with some success, so if they get some money they might be able to attract some drivers. But with a bodykit and wheels like that (even though it's a prototype), it isn't getting in WRC very far. Will be interesting to see how it does on a closed circuit though. The prospect remains very interesting, watch out for it.

I like the Skoda, but I would rather buy me a nice house instead of buying the Skoda S2000. Nevertheless, it will be a wonderful rally car. I would rather buy more important things...

Apparently most of you haven't heard of research and development. $250,000 is not too much for a S2000 spec car. In fact it's damn cheap. This is a purpose built racecar nothing less. So ya it's gonna be $250,000. Its not simply a Skoda with a bodykit. $70 000?? The drive train probably costs more than that.

$250,000? there is no way in hell that can be right, its a 280bhp 4 banger skoda with a bodykit, and its more expensive than a ferrari f430?

I wont believe this will be more than $70,000 till i see hard evidence and if released at that price i will eat my own hair.

I like it, and I think the reason why this is so expensive, is because it's a full race-ready machine, it has a roll-cage, Sparco bucket seats etc.
Racecars are expensive, and btw it would probaly beat a Ferrari F430 back to the stone age around a track.

-And off topic; speaking of the stone age, guees three times who's going to the Queens Of The Stone Age concert this sunday, year!

Apparently most of you haven't heard of research and development. $250,000 is not too much for a S2000 spec car. In fact it's damn cheap. This is a purpose built racecar nothing less. So ya it's gonna be $250,000. Its not simply a Skoda with a bodykit. $70 000?? The drive train probably costs more than that.
Very good point! You got it right I think

The drivetrain doesn't cost $70,000.. no way in hell.. the engineering costs to design the drivetrain are what's expensive. All of the testing, designing, building, etc.

But.. S2000? Seriously? I hope I'm missing something behind the name.

It's not a 2.0TFSI engine with a 6 speed manual or anything alike. That is not much more fabia than the bodyshell as most rally cars.

Rally cars may look similar to their pedestrian counterparts but most of the hardware is purpose built. It's not like the impreza rally car is the same car as an STi. Some parts are similar such as suspension layout.

First of all the engine, let's talk about the exhaust it's made of INCONEL or somthing alike, very expensive light heat resistant and rare. Also the block heads ane pretty much everything are waaaaay over production spec, of course you can take a production spec engine to that power level, but the punishment it gets at WRC is pretty much beyond a normal engine resistance. I'd say all of them are dry sump and can take very high lateral G loads without starvating.

The gearbox is most likely a sequential (true race bred sequential not a manual with electro hydraulic clutch or a DSG), maybe a Xtrac one.

Even dampers are different, most dampers can be adjusted on compression and rebound. WRC cars often use dampers that can be adjusted depending on the frequency of their piston's movement in the damper core. To put it more clearly the dampers have different damping characteristics when low frequency movements of the suspension occurs (these are typically related with chassis to damper core vibrations) and different damping characteristics when high frequency movements occur (typically wheel to damper core vibrations). This feature allows for a much more precise handling adjustment. The Reiger dampers used on the Focus WRC use a separate, remote, nitrogen tank for example.

All the components are modular too so it's easy to exchange them, gearboxes need to be replaceable under 20 minutes for instance so a clever design is very important.

Al these things count, that is not a normal hot hatch, and I guess not a single streetable tuned hot hatch would be able to touch it on a rally stage, no matter if it has 100 or 200 more HP.

Since I'm not a fan of Rally cars other than the Ford Focus WRC, and the EVO/STi(are they in the same platform? Im not too sure because im not into those stuff...).
Give me an Honda S2000.

The mule looks good.
Come on, you have to admit it...
The black spoiler, blackened front bumper, white side skirts and white top with those rims!

$250k?? Come on, lets start discussing $12k before asking for a hatchback in six figures

EDIT: $900k for a Ford WRC??!! I could hardly stand the fact that people were selling the GT for $300k!
Why in hell would you want one? Sure its a rally car, but think about what it actually does on the road or track.
If I wanted a race car for a quarter million, the 430 Scuderia would be the best answer, even though its not completely race spec, it could run circles around this car. Heck, my tuned Z3 for 30k could outrun it!

But.. S2000? Seriously? I hope I'm missing something behind the name.

S2000 is the FIA class it's running in. Super 2000 are for cars with a max engine capacity of 2000 cc, or 2L.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_2000

And the regulations say it must be for sale for a maximum of €168k (or $250k). So it might be less expensive. :p

$250,000? there is no way in hell that can be right, its a 280bhp 4 banger skoda with a bodykit, and its more expensive than a ferrari f430?

I wont believe this will be more than $70,000 till i see hard evidence and if released at that price i will eat my own hair.
Haha.. Yes it will be more expensie. It's a racing car skyline luva. So this makes it expensive. Look other touring or wrc cars to see how much do they cost. Go and take a look.

It's not a 2.0TFSI engine with a 6 speed manual or anything alike. That is not much more fabia than the bodyshell as most rally cars.

Rally cars may look similar to their pedestrian counterparts but most of the hardware is purpose built. It's not like the impreza rally car is the same car as an STi. Some parts are similar such as suspension layout.

First of all the engine, let's talk about the exhaust it's made of INCONEL or somthing alike, very expensive light heat resistant and rare. Also the block heads ane pretty much everything are waaaaay over production spec, of course you can take a production spec engine to that power level, but the punishment it gets at WRC is pretty much beyond a normal engine resistance. I'd say all of them are dry sump and can take very high lateral G loads without starvating.

The gearbox is most likely a sequential (true race bred sequential not a manual with electro hydraulic clutch or a DSG), maybe a Xtrac one.

Even dampers are different, most dampers can be adjusted on compression and rebound. WRC cars often use dampers that can be adjusted depending on the frequency of their piston's movement in the damper core. To put it more clearly the dampers have different damping characteristics when low frequency movements of the suspension occurs (these are typically related with chassis to damper core vibrations) and different damping characteristics when high frequency movements occur (typically wheel to damper core vibrations). This feature allows for a much more precise handling adjustment. The Reiger dampers used on the Focus WRC use a separate, remote, nitrogen tank for example.

All the components are modular too so it's easy to exchange them, gearboxes need to be replaceable under 20 minutes for instance so a clever design is very important.

Al these things count, that is not a normal hot hatch, and I guess not a single streetable tuned hot hatch would be able to touch it on a rally stage, no matter if it has 100 or 200 more HP.
Very well said, my friend. That's why it costs so much money..

The mule looks good.
Come on, you have to admit it...
The black spoiler, blackened front bumper, white side skirts and white top with those rims!

$250k?? Come on, lets start discussing $12k before asking for a hatchback in six figures

EDIT: $900k for a Ford WRC??!! I could hardly stand the fact that people were selling the GT for $300k!
Why in hell would you want one? Sure its a rally car, but think about what it actually does on the road or track.
If I wanted a race car for a quarter million, the 430 Scuderia would be the best answer, even though its not completely race spec, it could run circles around this car. Heck, my tuned Z3 for 30k could outrun it!

What ?

It's a rally car why would you care what it can do on the road and why would you compare it to a Ferrari ?

The only people who will buy this are rally teams who plan to race in s2000.

Seeing as though the car has pretty much been built from scratch, sharing minimal amounts of parts from its road car counterpart, I am not at all surprised at the 250k price tag. This is way, way more than an average Skoda 'tuner car'.

In any case, if you are a rally team thinking of entering any Super 2000 class, you're going to have sponsorship backing to help pay the bills anyway.

I can't believe the noob-ish responses...

IT'S A DAMN RALLY CAR!!!!11


Sheesh. What else do you expect from a race car?.....

I can't believe the noob-ish responses...

IT'S A DAMN RALLY CAR!!!!11


Sheesh. What else do you expect from a race car?.....
A piece of metal with 4 wheels on it. :D

^So I'm assuming F1 cars aren't race cars? :D
j/k I was just trying to point out how much carbon-fiber is on F1 cars.....
Meh, whatever, race cars will always be damned expensive.....

^^ Well you do have a point about F1 cars using CF too much. Nearly the entire car is made up of CF. Even the wheels are using magnesium just to save weight...

^I like the fact that F1 cars use too much carbon-fiber. That's how extreme they should be. Now, if only they lifted the ban on slicks(even though I actually favor the ban).....

^^ Banned slicks? Is that true?

250k for this RACE CAR is very reasonable, I think the Suzuki Swift equivalent matches up in terms of price.

^^ Yep!, it's true!, thats why there are 3 grows in the tires!, i really really hope they lift the ban!, it would make overtaking easier, and make it much more fun to look at the race!
Even the wheels are using magnesium just to save weight...
Haha!, Buy a Lupo 3L (the one which goes 33,33l per kilometer) and you get Magnesium wheels! :D

i had no idea it was a fully specced out racer i thought it was just a uprated version with a bodykit. Like the Focus and the Focus ST.
i know how much full wrc spec rally cars are worth, so if this is in the same league then thats not too bad i suppose, but i would rathjer have it set up for track racing than rallying.

i had no idea it was a fully specced out racer i thought it was just a uprated version with a bodykit. Like the Focus and the Focus ST.
i know how much full wrc spec rally cars are worth, so if this is in the same league then thats not too bad i suppose, but i would rathjer have it set up for track racing than rallying.
The article was saying it clearly. That's why it's expensive.

^^ Banned slicks? Is that true?

250k for this RACE CAR is very reasonable, I think the Suzuki Swift equivalent matches up in terms of price.
F1 has banned Slicks along time ago. They were planning to run them in the next few years but drivers were complaining that it's making it more dangerous considering the fact they are regulating even more against downforce, so it's less grip and no TCU = disaster with slicks.

F1 has banned Slicks along time ago. They were planning to run them in the next few years but drivers were complaining that it's making it more dangerous considering the fact they are regulating even more against downforce, so it's less grip and no TCU = disaster with slicks.

Slicks were banned after the 1997 season asa way for the FIA to try and cut cornering speeds. By implementing grooves into the tyre, the contact patch decreases, and therefore, maximum allowable grip.

Therefore, grooved tyres have been in Formula 1 for 10 years this year. Teams tested slick tyres during pre-season test sessions in January, and it was seen that slick tyres decreased lap times by up to 2 seconds.

I think they will implement slicks, as it is part of the FIA's general strategy to increase overtaking. This way, and by cutting on downforce, you decrease the aerodynamic grip, and increase the mechanical grip, which allows for more confidence in overtaking.

What the drivers were more complaining about was the ban on tyre warmers. Tyre warmers warmed the tyres up to their operational temperture, so that once going, the driver would not experience any serious lack of grip. However, without tyre warmers, the tyres start cold, and so grip is adversely effected as they are no where near their operational temperature.

The article was saying it clearly. That's why it's expensive.

The Fabia, is probaly going to race at Rallies, and perhaps Touring car championships.

That does not say its going to be an all out racer, it says it sgoing to race at rallies, That does not mean WRC it could be amateur for all you know,

Dont be so much of a dick all the time.

Fluffy, Super 2000 is just a regulation class mandated by the FIA. There's no Super 2000 championship, and Super 2000 class cars usually run alongside Group N class rally cars, most usually in domestic rally championships. They are also permitted to run in World Rally Championship rounds alongside the Group N cars as well.

That does not say its going to be an all out racer, it says it sgoing to race at rallies, That does not mean WRC it could be amateur for all you know,

Dont be so much of a dick all the time.
Haha, you're funny sometimes. Don't think that only WRC cars are expensive. I surely understand that this car costs a lot. It will participate in tough races and this stuff. And i'm not a dick. Really. Remember what you have done to me... :|

of course wrc cars are expensive but they put over 1000 man hours into building one from scratch and i highly doubt this car gets that treatment.
And what are you talking about remember what i have do to you? what exactly have i done to you? i just find you very cocky and arrogant in the way you reply to some posts.

well if there is put 1000 man hours in a Wrc, then there is more than the half in that!, and that still makes is expensive!
It isn't only performance you should measure such a car in, but also it's amazing reliability and easiness to repair!, you must remember there are time limits on the repair time!
And by the way, Skoda isn't stupid!, they wouldn't charge a price that is extremly expencive in comparison to, lets say, a Peugeot 207 S2000!

I'm dissapointed they didn't make a Roomster S2000....

Oh well, God Bless Photoshop! :D

There's been some suggestions that WRC cars will go away after a couple of years, and these S2000 cars will take over. So the S2000 would be the future for rallying. I'm not sure that's the truth, though.

The idea I think was to try and make top-level rallying cheaper, so more teams could take part. But the bottom fell off of that idea at the start, when they found out that these S2000-cars were almost as expensive to build and run as WRC-cars. But there is an awful lot of these out now, the Fiat Grande Punto, Honda Civic Type R S2000, Peugeot 207, plus others, and now this Skoda.

The IRC, growing interest, is a good way to see that S2000, are getting popular! The WRC cars are more expensive than the S2000, not much, but enough, that makes, and high funded teams, are more interested in this kind of Racing. Fiat started in IRC at the time that there financial problems where still big, and Peugeot started last year, at the same time they started racing the 908! This shows that S2000 cars, are more attractive for makes to make because it wont demand so much of them!