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This Futuristic RWD Coupe Could Have Been Skoda’s Best Throwback Yet

  • Skoda designer Richard Svec reimagined the classic 110 R coupe as a futuristic EV.
  • Concept features clean surfacing, concealed lighting, and a sporty, compact stance.
  • Unlike the rear-engined original, the concept is powered by an electric powertrain.

Sometimes the best ideas come from looking back before moving forward, and Skoda has been exploring exactly that with a series of digital concepts inspired by its heritage. The latest in the line is a fresh take on the classic 110 R coupe, reimagined with futuristic styling cues and powered by electricity rather than gas.

The original 110 R first appeared in 1970 as the sporty two-door sibling of the 100 sedan. It ran a rear-mounted 1.1-liter engine producing 61 horsepower, paired with a four-speed manual gearbox that sent power to the back wheels. It was a modest setup, yet the car carved out a reputation as an accessible, characterful coupe in Eastern Europe.

A Designer’s Tribute

This new digital vision comes from Richard Svec, who joined Skoda in 2023 after studying in Bratislava and completing an internship at Italdesign in Turin. Svec has an appreciation for the original’s clean proportions and pared-back details, but he avoided going down the retro route. Instead, his aim was to capture the essence of the 110 R through its balance of shapes and volumes rather than through nostalgia alone.

More: Skoda Revives A Forgotten Pickup With A Futuristic EV That Looks Unreal

The result is a two-door, two-seat coupe with a low roofline and fastback-style tail. The EV has a compact footprint and a sporty stance. A direct nod to the original comes in the form of its almost melancholic-looking headlights, reinterpreted here with sharp rectangular outlines and retractable body-colored covers. The front end is slightly recessed and adopts the Tech Loop design feature that can also be found in the new Skoda Vision O concept.

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Motorsport Cues Revisited

The swollen fenders, large center-lock wheels with integrated aero covers, ribbing on the hood, and roll cage are nods to the motorsport heritage of the classic model. The side intakes are also inspired by the rear-engined 110 R, but here they serve the purpose of cooling the batteries. The rear end looks similar to the front, with concealed taillights and a black ribbon featuring slim LEDs.

More: Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

Skoda didn’t get into specifics about the fully electric powertrain of the digital concept. However, the most fitting option would be a rear-mounted electric motor, staying true to the layout of the original 110 R. Judging from the current Elroq and Enyaq production SUVs, the motor could generate up to 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS), which sounds more than enough for such a compact and lightweight car.

As is the case with most of these digital-only studies, the 110 R Coupe is not destined for production. However, it shows that Skoda could offer interesting EVs in the future if its mainstream models generate enough profit to allow niche products.

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Skoda

Skoda Proves Wagons Aren’t Dead Yet With Octavia EV Concept

  • Skoda debuted electric Vision O compact wagon at the Munich Auto Show.
  • Ignore the rear-hinged rear doors and you’re looking at the next Octavia.
  • A cousin of 2028’s VW ID. Golf, the Octavia will ride on VW’s SSP platform.

Update: We’ve now added a set of photos from the Munich motor show, offering a closer look at Skoda’s Vision O concept. The new images give a better sense of how this design study could evolve into the next-generation of the popular Octavia series.

After a slow start, Skoda has fully embraced the SUV body style, but the brand’s new Vision O concept proves it still believes in the traditional Octavia wagon. The low-slung compact previews a production Octavia due by 2028, which is a close cousin of the upcoming VW ID. Golf.

Related: Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

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Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Like the ID. Golf, the Octavia is going electric, and the Vision O’s long-roof form tells us it’ll be available in practical wagon guise as well as a fastback. Why is Skoda bothering with either car in these SUV-crazed times? Because the current Octavia is the brand’s best selling model and a major cash-cow.

Design That Stands Apart

Skoda’s designers have applied the company’s latest Modern Solid design language to the Vision O and although some of concept’s flourishes – like the rear-hinged rear doors and 3D-printed honeycomb headrests – are pure auto show theatrics, what you see here is mostly what you’ll get in a Skoda dealer in three years’ time.

The prominent body-color B pillar that extends from rear door’s skin reminds us of DS Automobiles’ work and there are hints of Opel Astra about the blocky shapes. Even so, the flat-faced, square-shaped fenders, blacked-out C-pillar and concave rear end with its Skoda lettering picked out in LEDs, plus the aggressive tech-loop nose, give this Vision O way more presence that any production Octavia ever had.

Tech-Heavy Interior

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If the O looks confident on the outside, it looks even more premium on the inside. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, there’s a 1.2-m (47.2 inches) Horizon Display stretching almost the full width of the car at the base of the windshield.

That’s backed up by a portrait-layout tablet touchscreen floating proud of the dashboard and above a console fitted with dual charging trays and a rotary mode controller that offers haptic feedback. And if you’re too lazy to twiddle a dial, the Laura AI voice-activate digital assistant can handle some of those same tasks.

At 4,850 mm (190.9 inches) long, the concept is 152 mm (6 inches) longer than today’s production Octavia wagon, but still smaller than the Superb flagship. The huge trunk swallows 650 liters (CCC cu-ft) of family junk or salesman’s paraphernalia with the seats up – and that’s not where the practical touches end. In addition to a portable Bluetooth speaker and integrated fridge, the concept has four umbrellas.

New Octavia EV with Rivian Tech?

Whether those features will make it to the production car in 2027 or 2028, and what kind of power output and range figures the SSP platform can deliver, Skoda isn’t saying. But reports say we should expect 800-volt charging tech and advanced software developed with Rivian. And you can bank on Skoda rolling out a hot vRS version with even more attitude than this concept.

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Skoda

Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

  • The Skoda Epiq showcar previews a production-ready EV set to debut in mid-2026.
  • It shares its platform with VW’s ID. Polo and ID. Cross, measuring just 4.1 meters long.
  • The small SUV offers 425 km of range and a 475-liter cargo area for family use.

Update: Live photos from the Munich Motor Show are now in, giving a closer look at the Epiq’s production-ready design.

The spotlight at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich isn’t only on Volkswagen’s ID. Cross. Sharing the stage was Skoda’s Epiq, an updated take on the compact electric SUV first shown in concept form last year. Positioned as a practical and stylish entry point to the brand’s EV lineup, the Epiq promises to deliver everyday usability while remaining priced on par with its gasoline-powered counterpart.

More: Skoda Revives A Forgotten Pickup With A Futuristic EV That Looks Unreal

Instead of revealing the production version outright, Skoda brought a near-production showcar that reflects how the final model will look. The design builds on the 2024 concept with small but telling refinements, including reworked LEDs, a reshaped grille, tweaked bumpers, and new mirrors. All bring the SUV closer to its production-ready form, which is slated for release in mid-2026.

Dimensions and Styling

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Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Skoda’s baby SUV measures 4.1 m (161.4 inches) long, which is very similar to the Fabia subcompact hatch and slightly bigger than the Indian-spec Kylaq. Naturally, it is the smallest EV in Skoda’s lineup below the Elroq and the Enyaq.

The Epiq is the first model to fully embrace Skoda’s Modern Solid design approach, which will eventually define the rest of the brand’s lineup. Key styling cues include the new “Tech-Deck” front end, slim T-shaped LED lighting, and a pronounced tornado line across its boxy rear shoulders. The showcar wears a Cashmere matte finish complemented by glossy black detailing, Cosmo gray cladding, and newly designed alloy wheels.

 Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing
The Skoda Epiq showcar (above) compared to the earlier concept (below)
 Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

What About The Interior?

Interior photos remain under wraps, but the Epiq is expected to borrow elements from its VW ID. Cross cousin. That means a blend of an 11-inch digital instrument panel and a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, backed by physical buttons and haptic scroll wheels for a more intuitive setup. Features like wireless charging have also been confirmed.

More: Skoda’s Secret Fabia Prototypes Might Be Hiding More Than Just A Facelift

Despite its compact dimensions, Skoda says the SUV will accommodate five passengers. The cabin will also include practical details such as bag hooks, fastening points, and hidden underfloor storage compartments, along with a 475-liter (16.8-cubic-foot) luggage capacity.

Shared Underpinnings

The EV will share its MEB Entry architecture with the upcoming VW ID. Polo, ID Cross, and Cupra Raval. Skoda didn’t get into details about the specifications, but promised a driving range of up to 425 km (264 miles), which is 5 km (3 miles) more than the VW ID. Cross. Both models are expected to be fitted with a front-mounted electric motor producing 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS).

 Skoda’s Smallest Electric SUV Comes With Gas-Car Pricing

How Much Will it Cost?

Production of the Epiq will take place at Volkswagen’s Navarra facility in Spain, with sales scheduled to begin in mid-2026. Skoda says it will be the most affordable EV in its lineup, with pricing “comparable” to the ICE-powered Kamiq. In today’s terms, that points to a starting price around €25,330 ($29,700) in Germany and £24,975 ($33,700) in the UK.

Rivals outside the VW Group will include small electric SUVs like the Ford Puma Gen-E, Jeep Avenger, Kia EV2, Mini Aceman, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Renault 4 E-Tech, and more.

The small electric SUV is one of Skoda’s two major launches at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich. The other one will be the Vision O concept, serving as a preview of the future Octavia estate with a fully electric powertrain.

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Skoda

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