Skoda 110R Coupe
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 1
Introduction
Before the advent of the Estelle, the 11OR coupe, a two-door sports version of the popular 110 four-door saloon, was the top of the Skoda range. The coupe used an 1107 cc four-cylinder engine that produced 52 bhp at 4650 rpm and 64lb ft at 3500 rpm. It succeeded the sporty Skoda 1000 MBX/1100 MBX.
The 110R used the same mechanical components as the Skoda 100/110 sedans plus an uprated 62 bhp (46 kW) 1,107cc version of Skoda’s 720-type OHC four. This gave the car a top speed of 90 mph and enabled it to accelerate to 50 mph from rest in 13.5 secs. One of the most economical in its class, fuel consumption of over 33 mpg was possible provided you resisted temptation to flog the motor. The
suspension department, however, was where this Skoda fell sadly short.
With an independent front by wishbones, an
anti-roll bar, coil springs and telescopic dampers, and an independent rear by swinging semi-axles, swinging longitudinal leading arms, an
anti-roll bar, coil springs and telescopic dampers, the
handling had a distinct tendency to oversteer.
The fact that the engine was in the rear also contributed to the problem and was no help for the road-holding which generally was poor. Despite seeming an unsporting car in practice, if not in looks, the coupe did remarkably well in its class in various rallies.
One interesting point on the car was the
gear lever. Skoda marketed the 110R as a 'sports car', despite the lack of sports-car performance. To give the car a more sporting feel, the
gear lever was cross-drilled. Whether this was in the interests of weight saving or just for looks was up to the driver to decide.
Eventually the basic configuration was punched out to make the rally-specific homologation 130 RS, and one-off 1.8-litre 180 RS and 200 RS specials. The ultimate evolution came in 1975, Borivoj Korínek’s fuel-injected, 250hp 2000 MI “Grenade.” After a production run of ten years, production of the 110R Coupe ended in 1980. During those ten years, a total of 56,902 110R Coupés were made.
Skoda 110R Coupe Quick Specifications
Engine: Rear-mounted, water-cooled straight-four. 72 mm (2.83 in) bore x 68 mm (2.68 in) stroke - 1107cc (67.54cu in). Maximum power (DIN) 52 bhp at 4650 rpm; maximum torque (DIN) 64 Ib ft at 3500 rpm. Light-alloy cylinder block and cast-iron head. Compression ratio 9.5:1. Three main bearings. Two
valves per cylinder operated, via push rods and rockers, by a single camshaft, side. One Jikov 32 DDSR downdraught twin-barrel carburettor.
Transmission: Single-dry-plate clutch and four-speed manual gearbox. Ratios, 1 st 3.800, 2nd 2.120, 3rd 1.410, 4th 0.960, rev 3.270:1. Spiral-bevel final drive. Ratio 4.444.
Suspension: Front-independent by wishbones, coil springs, an
anti-roll bar and telescopic dampers, rear-independent by swinging semi-axles, leading arms, coil springs and dampers.
Steering: Screw and nut. Turns from lock to lock 2.50.
Brakes: Discs front, drums rear.
Wheels: 4.5 in x 14 in steel.
Tyres: 155SR x 14.
Dimensions and weight: Wheelbase 94.49 in; track-front 50.39 in, rear-49.21 in; length 163.39 in; width 63.78 in; height 68.90 in; ground clearance 6.89 in; dry weight 1841 Ib; turning circle between walls 33.5ft; fuel tank capacity 7 gals.
Body/chassis: Sports coupe. 2-door, 4-5 seats. Integral.
Performance: Maximum speed 90 mph. Acceleration 0-50 mph13.5 secs. Fuel consumption approximately 33 mpg.
