- Concept celebrates million-selling 100 of the 1960s and' 70s.
- Air intake, vents a nod to rear-engined original.
- Based on the platform of current Superb.
Back in the day, the Skoda 100 (1969-77) was the car lots of people loved to hate: the epitome of automotive uncool. Now, in the context of the reborn Skoda brand, it's pretty retro-awesome. And it's undeniably a significant model for the company, its first million-seller.
Skoda exterior designer Martin Paclt has created a concept-car reboot of the 1960s sedan, with "contemporary proportions, clean surfacing and the brand’s Modern Solid design principles – offering a glimpse of how an icon could look in the 21st century".
Paclt says he wanted to avoid a retro-themed replica. The focus was on retaining the core spirit of the original through its overall stance, silhouette and character.
Modern details, including a four-element lighting signature and full-width light strips on both the front and rear bring the car firmly into the present day. These elements are intended to reference the chrome accents and distinctive rear vent of the historic 100.
One of the concept’s most striking elements is at the rear, where Paclt has reinterpreted the original car’s nearly interchangeable front and rear windows: “The similarity between the two was a fascinating starting point," he says. "I wanted to explore that connection in a new way".
This led to his bold decision to eliminate the rear window entirely. The absence of glazing allows the rear bodywork to adopt the shape of the front. The oval graphic framing both ends of the car further references the classic 100.
The windowless rear enabled the integration of a fresh-air intake system positioned above the roofline, supported by discreet vents on the rear wings.
“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".
It's a lot larger than the original 100, though: the base for the concept was the current Superb.
The Škoda 100/110 series became the brand’s first model to surpass one million sales, with 1,079,708 units produced between 1969-77. Building on the foundations of the 1000 MB, it continued the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout while introducing a more contemporary design.
