After four years of success in the R5 discipline with the original Fabia, Škoda announced the Fabia R5 evo at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019.

The car was showcased as an improvement over the 2015 Fabia in nearly all areas, most notably the power and response of the engine.

After many kilometers of testing, The Evo passed international homologation on the 1st of April 2019, and made its competitive rallying debut in the hands of Jan Kopecký at the third round of the Czech Rally Championship, Rallye Český Krumlov.

[5] The car would make a successful first impression, winning the rally overall.

Soon after it would make its World Rally Championship debut at Rally de Portugal, where it would once again emerge victorious in the hands of Kalle Rovanperä.