Skoda dips into its past for a striking electric coupe concept

Automakers are increasingly looking over their shoulders for inspiration as they design the electric cars of tomorrow. Some efforts result in lazy copies of old classics, but others capture the spirit of a bygone era in a completely new package. Skoda has just revealed a stunning digital concept that falls squarely into the latter category. Meet the modern interpretation of the Skoda 110 R, a coupe from the 1970s reimagined as a sharp, silent, and powerful EV.

To understand the new concept, one must first appreciate the original. The Skoda 110 R debuted in 1970 as a sporty, two-door version of the company's family sedan. Hailing from what was then Czechoslovakia, it was an accessible and characterful machine for car enthusiasts in Eastern Europe. Tucked behind its rear axle was a tiny 1.1-liter engine that produced a modest 61 horsepower. All that power was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. It wasn't a world-beater, but its light weight and unique layout earned it a cult following that endures today.

Fast forward to the present, where Skoda designer Richard Svec decided to explore what the 110 R could be in an age of electric cars. Svec, who joined the company in 2023 after an internship at the famed Italian design house Italdesign, didn't want to create a simple retro knockoff. His goal was to capture the essence of the original car - its clean lines and compact, sporty proportions - and translate it into a futuristic design language. The project was about capturing a feeling, not just recreating a shape.

The result is a low-slung, two-seat electric coupe with a sleek fastback roofline. The design is clean and aggressive. The front features unique rectangular headlights that retract behind body-colored panels, giving it a moody, minimalist look when not in use.

This front section is slightly recessed and incorporates a design feature Skoda calls the "Tech Loop," hinting at a shared design philosophy with other concepts from the brand. There are also clear nods to motorsport history, including muscular fenders, large center-lock wheels with aerodynamic covers, and a subtle roll cage visible inside.

One of the cleverest design touches involves the large air intakes on the car's flanks. On the original 1970s car, these were essential for cooling the rear-mounted gasoline engine. On this new electric car concept, they serve a modern purpose: channeling air to cool the battery pack.

The rear of the car mirrors the front's minimalist theme, with taillights that are concealed until illuminated, leaving only a slim, black ribbon with embedded LEDs. It's a design that is both a tribute and a complete departure from the original.

Skoda provided no official specifications for this digital-only creation, but the logical powertrain would honor the car's heritage. A rear-mounted electric motor would maintain the rear-wheel-drive layout of the classic 110 R.

Looking at Skoda's current production EVs, such as the Enyaq SUV, a motor producing around 282 horsepower (210 kW) is a reasonable guess. For a small, lightweight coupe, that kind of power would offer performance the original car's owners could only dream of - a massive leap from 61 horsepower.

Unfortunately, the Skoda 110 R electric coupe is purely a design study. It exists only on a computer screen, and there are no plans for production. The exercise serves as a powerful statement, showing that Skoda has the design talent to create exciting, niche electric cars. If its electric SUVs and sedans sell well enough, perhaps Skoda will find the confidence - and the cash - to build a fun little EV coupe that proves looking back is a great way to move forward.

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