Skoda is on something of a retro-ride of late, as the Czech brand celebrates its 130th anniversary. Hot on the heels of the (sadly, digital-only) concept version of an updated, electric version of the original Skoda 110 rear-engined coupe comes a modern interpretation of the Skoda 100.
What's a Skoda 100?
The original Skoda 100 was a smart-looking rear-engined saloon which went on sale in 1969. It's not a model that ever came to Western Europe, nor Ireland, in any great numbers, but if you imagine a saloon version of a Renault Dauphine, you're getting there. It was the first Skoda to break the million-sales mark.
OK, so what's the new Skoda 100?
Well, for the most part, the new Skoda 100 is nothing like the original. Although it's a four-door saloon once again, the 2025 interpretation of the Skoda 100 is a slick, sleek, almost coupe-like four-door with dramatically modern surfacing. However, there are little nods to the original once you start to dig a little deeper…
Such as?
Well, let's start at the back, where you'll find that there's no rear window. This is, kind of, a nod to the fact that the original Skoda 100 had interchangeable front and rear glass, so as to speed up production and make things cheaper. According to the 2025 100's designer, Martin Paclt, ditching the rear window altogether was: "a break from convention and will definitely spark emotion. That's exactly what design should do.”
Look above that not-there rear screen, and you'll also see a distinctive periscope-style air intake, backed up by vents on the rear wheelarches, a clear nod to the rear-engined layout of the original. "Even an electric vehicle requires cooling. Placing the intake high works efficiently and visually emphasises the technical components behind the cabin. It also nods to the original Škoda 100's rear-engine architecture,” said Paclt.
Any other nice touches?
Oh sure. There are four-element lights, just like the original, and some subtle chrome strips too. Rather wonderfully, Paclt didn't start designing the new Skoda 100 on a computer - "Pencils and crayons let me explore ideas quickly and see immediately whether something has potential.”
Could the new 100 make it to production?
There are no plans as yet for a production version of this concept, but never say never. The new Concept 0, which shows off the design direction of the next Octavia, shows that Skoda is getting a little braver with its designs, and the new 100 concept is kind of based on the current Superb. "I realised the new Škoda 100 should be slightly larger and needed to sit with real confidence on its wheels”, said Paclt, explaining that the basic proportions of the Superb were his starting point for the 100. Here's hoping, anyway.