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novembre 25, 2021 - Skoda Racing

ŠKODA OCTAVIA WRC (1999): Entering the highest class of international rallying

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› After the successful era of the front-wheel drive FAVORIT and FELICIA, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA WRC was the first #rally car from Mladá Boleslav with two driven axles
› The OCTAVIA WRC was fast, robust and reliable – characteristics that helped it achieve numerous successes
› Engine output of 300 hp with a torque of up to 600 Nm
› Armin Schwarz’s third place in the 2001 Safari #rally and victories in three seasons of the domestic #rally championship are among the OCTAVIA WRC’s greatest achievements

Mladá Boleslav, 25 November 2021 – ŠKODA presented the first generation of the modern OCTAVIA in 1996. The new series marked another important step for the Czech car manufacturer after the FELICIA in 1994 and established the brand’s current bestseller as a 
benchmark in the compact segment. ŠKODA also underlined its high ambitions for the OCTAVIA in international rallying by introducing the OCTAVIA WRC.

In addition to the complete selection of images accompanying this press release, the ŠKODA Storyboard also offers a 32-page brochure and a comprehensive selection of articles and features on various topics from 120 years of ŠKODA Motorsport.

Following the great successes of the ŠKODA FAVORIT in the World Cup for vehicles with one driven axle, naturally aspirated engine and displacement of less than two litres (the so-called F2 class) and the numerous victories of the ŠKODA FELICIA Kit Car, the ŠKODA Motorsport works team sought to demonstrate its skills in the highest class of international rallying.

The International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) decision to open the WRC (World #rally Car) category in 1997 came at just the right time for ŠKODA, who had launched the first generation of the modern ŠKODA OCTAVIA the year before. In contrast to the previous Group A regulations, manufacturers could now also compete without needing to build supercharged special vehicles with four-wheel drive. In addition, limited road versions of the respective vehicle were no longer required for a successful homologation; the #racing car simply needed to be based on a series-production model.

The ŠKODA Motorsport team faced a number of challenges in building the OCTAVIA WRC. The only experience of modifying the new compact model had been from developing the ŠKODA OCTAVIA KIT CAR with front-wheel drive. For the team, being able to use components from the company’s shelves and fall back on proven, high-quality components to build the #racing car proved to be a great advantage, especially under these circumstances. 

Further information in the press release to download