The Skoda Enyaq RS Race shows what's possible
Lower, wider and significantly lighter: Skoda Motorsport has designed the Enyaq RS Race concept car based on the RS Coupé. The all-electric study of a racing car also shows some ideas for future production models, for example sustainable and particularly lightweight materials. For example, the Race weighs 316 kilograms less than the base model.
Both the handling and the safety equipment in the driver's cabin are similar to the current Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. The concept car is seven centimetres lower than the standard coupé and has a track that is 72 millimetres wider at the front and 116 millimetres wider at the rear. The biggest difference to the production model is the considerably lower weight. Lightweight components made of biocomposite materials such as flax fibers are used in both the body and the interior. In addition, the Škoda Motorsport engineers implemented numerous visual and technical modifications in the concept car. These include redesigned bumpers and modified springs and dampers.
The sustainable biocomposite parts - developed in collaboration with partner Bcomp - are used on the bodywork, for example on the bumpers, fenders, roof and air scoop as well as on the rear wing. For example, the standard panoramic glass roof of the Enyaq Coupé RS has been completely replaced by a component made of biocomposite material. In the interior, the instrument panel, door panels and footrests for the driver and front passenger, for example, are made from the lightweight material.
A total of 16 components in the concept car are made from sustainable materials. Natural flax fibers replace the carbon materials normally used in motorsport, both on the body and in the interior. The biomaterial had to pass demanding tests under racing conditions beforehand and was tested in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, just like sustainable lubricants for the engine, gearbox, transmission and dampers. One example of such bio-based materials is Amplitex, a technical reinforcement fabric made from renewable flax fibers from European cultivation. These interwoven fibers not only reduce vibrations in the interior and contribute to weight reduction, they also serve as a visually appealing design element. In addition, the fibers are processed mechanically instead of chemically and flax cultivation has a significantly lower impact on the soil compared to other crops.
Bcomp's Power-Ribs technology is based on extremely lightweight high-performance fibers, which are also based on natural flax. The 3D structure of the material stabilizes the thin-walled body parts and combines maximum rigidity with minimum weight. This design principle saves raw materials, reduces the weight of the components and, due to the lower material input, also lowers manufacturing costs. The material has a comparable stiffness to carbon fiber, but releases almost 85 percent less CO2 emissions during production. For the first time ever, Skoda is now using this material for large, complex components such as front wings, side panels and bumpers. The engineers also made extensive use of 3D printing in the preparation and production of the prototype. They used recycled materials such as nylon fibers and climate-neutral, biodegradable biopolymer yarns.
To create the body of the Enyaq RS Race, the technicians took individual body parts from series production, redesigned them from the ground up and reassembled them. In the interior, the safety cage made of high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel reinforces the body structure and protects the occupants. The engineers derived other safety features of the concept car from the Fabia RS Rally2, such as the racing seats from Atech with six-point harnesses, the safety door panels and the automatically triggered fire extinguisher. As in the hybrid vehicles in the top category of the World Rally Championship, green and red lights on both sides of the vehicle indicate the status of the high-voltage system. Special protective plates on the underbody prevent the vehicle structure from touching down and thus protect the chassis components and battery.
The aerodynamics package includes a large rear wing and an aerodynamically optimized roof with a central air intake that directs airflow into the interior. Small winglets on the rear edge of the roof direct the airflow straight onto the rear wing. The developers completely redesigned the air intake for the cooling system. The front section is now completely closed. Instead, the cooling air is directed through the lower part of the front bumper - an arrangement that required the radiator grille to be tilted.
Both bumpers have been redesigned, with the front bumper featuring two additional air curtains. Widened fenders have also been added. A new rear diffuser and the large rear wing increase downforce and thus improve drivability at higher speeds. Wing-shaped air deflectors minimize turbulence around the wheels, while ventilation grilles in the front and rear wheel arches improve aerodynamics and brake cooling.
The study rolls on 20-inch rims and low-profile tires. The powertrain with two electric motors and a system output of 250 kW (340 PS) as well as the 82 kWh battery correspond to the production model. As in the Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS, the top speed is limited to 180 km/h, but due to its lower weight, the RS Race accelerates better and reaches 100 km/h in less than five seconds. Above 30 km/h, an artificial sound is generated to enhance the driving experience acoustically.
While the Enyaq Coupé RS uses progressive rack-and-pinion steering, the Enyaq RS Race relies on linear steering with software-adjustable steering resistance. At the same time, the technicians changed the steering ratio to competition conditions. The selector switch for the driving profile selection and the central button for starting the vehicle and activating the automatic fire extinguishing system are located between the seats of the two-seater. (aum)
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