The Skoda 130 RS is one of the brand's most legendary vehicles and has secured a firm place for itself in the world of motorsport.
50 years ago, the sports coupe celebrated its premiere on the race track in Most and immediately impressed with its impressive performance.
Successes that made history
Thanks to its numerous successes in rallies and on circuits, the 130 RS was quickly seen as a serious competitor to western racing cars. 1975, just one month after its presentation, the Skoda 130 RS caused a stir: In the European Touring Car Championship in Brno Two examples of the model took third and fourth place in the class up to 3 cc.
But that was just the beginning. The big breakthrough came 1977, when the 130 RS had a Double victory at the Monte Carlo Rally in the class up to 1.300 cc and finished 12th overall. Two years later, 1979, he reached a strong 8th place at the Acropolis Rally – a success that the coupé 1981 could repeat again.
The 130 RS a fearsome opponent. Particularly impressive was the win of the Manufacturers' Championship of the 1981 European Touring Car Championship, with which Škoda finally underlined its status as a serious motorsport player.
Technology that convinces
What made the Skoda 130 RS so successful? A decisive factor was the LightweightBy using aluminum and fiberglass parts, the vehicle weight was reduced to just 720 kg.
The coupé was powered by a 1,3-liter four-cylinder, which initially 113 PS but later switched to the circuit 142 PS Despite the relatively low engine power, the 130 RS reached a top speed of 220 km/h.
But it was not just the engine power that made the difference – it was primarily the precise handling and the perfect balancethat made the 130 RS so competitive. Drivers could push the car to the limit without losing control.
The legacy of the 130 RS lives on
With the 130 RS, Škoda introduced the legendary abbreviation RS for "Rallye Sport" - a name that still stands for the brand's sportiest models. Today, the legacy of the 130 RS lives on in modern vehicles with the RS emblem.
Auch im Motorsport Škoda keeps the tradition alive, including with the Fabia RS Rally2, which competes in the WRC2 category of the World Rally Championship. All further information about the Škoda 130 RS can be found in the video! Image and video credits/source: Škoda | This content was created using AI and reviewed by an editor.
