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Sustainability in the rally car

Sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role in motorsport. This weekend, the Nordic Sustainable Mobility Forum of the local university is taking place in Finland's rally metropolis Jyväskylä. At the event, experts and stakeholders will be discussing ways to ensure a sustainable future for the sport. Skoda, for example, is presenting a Fabia RS Rally 2 with prototype parts that are already made of biocomposite materials - such as the rear bumper and the exterior mirror housings made of flax fibers.

In addition, interior components such as the floor trim or the footrests on the driver and passenger side as well as the dashboard are made from flax. The experience gained with the more sustainable materials could also reduce the CO2 footprint in future series models. In the new compact electric SUV Elroq, for example, the seat covers and upholstery are made from recycled plastic bottles and, for the first time, from recycled old clothing. Fibers made from recycled nylon, which is obtained from old fishing nets and fabric remnants, are also used.

And the visual appearance of the competition vehicles is already based on wrapping instead of painting - this makes it easier for the teams to adapt the design for the next event and repair minor damage. More sustainable eco-foils, such as those used for the Fabia RS Rally2 on display, make this process even more environmentally friendly, but Skoda Motorsport is also testing more sustainable alternatives for operating fluids that are still based on mineral oil. An exhibition at the Nordic Sustainability Forum presents environmentally friendly replacement solutions for oils used in the gearbox or for the shock absorbers. All Fabia RS Rally2 cars competing in the World Rally Championship already run on 100 percent fossil-free fuel.

Sustainable materials are also used specifically in the development of the all-electric Enyaq Coupé RS Race concept study for motorsport applications. The dashboard in the vehicle is made of biocomposite. The roof, mudguards and rear wing, front and rear bumpers as well as exterior mirrors, side skirts and many interior components of the Enyaq RS Race are also made of flax fibers, which reduce the vehicle weight. While their manufacturing process is similar to that of carbon fiber parts, the use of these composite materials reduces carbon emissions.

Skoda Motorsport is currently working on further possible applications. (aum)

Further links: Skoda

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Skoda Motorsport presents sustainable materials at the Nordic Sustainable Mobility Forum: The Fabia RS Rally2 on display features body components made from flax fibers, such as the rear bumper.

Skoda Motorsport presents sustainable materials at the Nordic Sustainable Mobility Forum: The Fabia RS Rally2 on display features body components made from flax fibers, such as the rear bumper.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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Footrests, exterior mirror trims and body extensions made from biocomposite materials help to reduce the carbon fiber footprint of Skoda's rally cars.

Footrests, exterior mirror trims and body extensions made from biocomposite materials help to reduce the carbon fiber footprint of Skoda's rally cars.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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Skoda Motorsport presents sustainable materials at the Nordic Sustainable Mobility Forum: Flax fibers are used, for example, for the dashboard or the floor of the Fabia RS Rally2.

Skoda Motorsport presents sustainable materials at the Nordic Sustainable Mobility Forum: Flax fibers are used, for example, for the dashboard or the floor of the Fabia RS Rally2.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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Skoda Motorsport is working on fuels based on fossil-free raw materials. They are intended to replace fluids such as engine oil, transmission oil or shock absorber hydraulic oil.

Skoda Motorsport is working on fuels based on fossil-free raw materials. They are intended to replace fluids such as engine oil, transmission oil or shock absorber hydraulic oil.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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The rear wing of the Skoda Enyaq RS Race concept car is made of biocomposite.

The rear wing of the Skoda Enyaq RS Race concept car is made of biocomposite.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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The rear and parts of the roof of the Skoda Enyaq RS Race are made of flax fibers, as are the exterior mirrors, interior components and side skirts.

The rear and parts of the roof of the Skoda Enyaq RS Race are made of flax fibers, as are the exterior mirrors, interior components and side skirts.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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Only slightly camouflaged: Skoda Elroq.

Only slightly camouflaged: Skoda Elroq.

Photo source: Autoren-Union Mobilität/Skoda

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