Škoda 100 Concept Reimagined: A Modern Electric Tribute to a Million-Unit LegendŠkoda has unveiled one of its most intriguing design studies yet: the Škoda 100 Concept, a fresh electric reinterpretation of the classic Škoda 100 sedan produced between 1969 and 1977. As part of the brand’s Icons Get a Makeover initiative, this concept reimagines the spirit of Škoda’s first million-unit model through the lens of today’s Modern Solid design language. Although Škoda has confirmed that the concept is not intended for production, its design philosophy and creative execution offer a striking glimpse into how a beloved classic can evolve into a modern electric vision.The original Škoda 100 was an affordable and practical people’s car at a time when owning a vehicle was still far from common. Its clean proportions, balanced stance, and iconic rear-engine layout helped define an era of Czech automotive history. Today, those same characteristics serve as the foundation for a thoroughly modern reinterpretation that respects its heritage without slipping into retro pastiche.A New Vision Rooted in Classic ProportionsThe modern Škoda 100 Concept stays faithful to the original’s four-door sedan format, but nearly everything else has been visually transformed. Designer Martin Paclt, who led the project, set out to capture the essence of the classic model using contemporary design tools and philosophies. Instead of recreating historic lines or chrome elements, he preserved the original car’s spirit through its proportions and overall presence.Paclt envisioned the concept with a more premium, almost limousine-like character inspired by the current Škoda Superb. The result is a vehicle slightly larger and more sculptural than the historic model, reflecting today’s aerodynamic and stylistic expectations. The smooth body surfaces, strong shoulders, and pronounced volumes align with Škoda’s Modern Solid language, which emphasizes clarity, restraint, and refined structure.One of the most compelling aspects of the reinterpretation is its dedication to capturing timeless simplicity. The historic Škoda 100 featured clean, uncomplicated lines, a trait Paclt believes resonates naturally with the Modern Solid direction. His approach ensured that while the details are new, the overall feeling remains familiar to anyone who knew or owned the original car.A Distinctive Front End with Quad Headlamp IdentityAt the front, the concept departs from traditional Škoda grilles entirely. Instead, it features a full-width facial treatment with integrated Škoda script and a distinctive quad headlamp layout. This four-element graphic references the visual signature of the original 100, yet it is reinterpreted through sharp lines, advanced lighting technology, and a bold modern stance.The lighting arrangement creates a symmetrical visual identity across the nose, while the bumper channels airflow smartly around the corners of the car. This marks a shift away from the upright grilles found on many current Škoda models, positioning the concept firmly within the electric era. Modern Solid favors cleaner surfaces and seamless graphics, and the 100 Concept embraces these principles confidently.A Sculptural Rear with an Unconventional TwistThe rear of the Škoda 100 Concept is perhaps its most daring element. Paclt noticed that the original car had front and rear windows with very similar shapes, a small design coincidence that sparked an unconventional idea: what if the reinterpretation omitted the rear window entirely?In the concept, the rear window is replaced by a sculptural body panel that mirrors the expressive language of the front. The result is a smooth tail section underscored by a light strip and structured surfaces that form a minimalist rear signature. This bold omission challenges traditional expectations of sedan design and redefines how form can reinterpret function.The absence of a rear window also opened a doorway for technical creativity. A roof-mounted air intake is positioned above the area where the rear glass would normally be, guiding cooling air toward the electric drivetrain imagined for the concept. Minimalist vents on the fenders complement this system, referencing the original model’s hot-air vent while translating it into a contemporary EV cooling solution.Translating the Original Rear-Engine Philosophy into the EV EraA key part of the original Škoda 100’s identity was its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. Instead of abandoning that legacy, Paclt reinterpreted it within an electric platform. The concept imagines a rear-mounted electric motor, powering the rear wheels, preserving the mechanical philosophy of the classic sedan.This approach has design benefits as well. Rear-mounted components enable a short front overhang, giving the concept a confident stance and creating space for a substantial frunk at the front. A smaller secondary storage area sits atop the rear drivetrain, showing how the packaging freedoms of EVs can be used creatively without abandoning historical inspiration.Even though Škoda has not provided technical specifications, performance figures, or battery details, the mechanical layout serves an important purpose: it demonstrates how heritage can influence engineering ideas, even in a conceptual design study.A Creative Process Built on Heritage and InnovationPaclt’s process for creating the Škoda 100 Concept began with pencil and crayon sketches. This traditional approach enabled rapid exploration of ideas and a clear path to evaluating proportions, character lines, and overall coherence. Once the foundational idea felt right, he moved into detailed refinement and 3D modeling to shape the final vision.He was inspired not just by the proportions of the original model, but also by its cultural significance. The Škoda 100 was a car that many people owned, recognized, and understood. For Paclt, it was important to work with a model that carried emotional familiarity. This connection allowed him to reinterpret timeless simplicity into a new design philosophy without falling into nostalgia.Paclt also avoided themes connected to the Vision O concept, which he had worked on shortly before this project. This allowed the Škoda 100 Concept to stand apart within the Icons Get a Makeover series as a unique tribute to one of Škoda’s most recognizable nameplates.Icons Get a Makeover: Honoring Legacy Through CreativityThe Škoda 100 Concept forms part of a broader internal initiative that invites designers to reinterpret historic Škoda models. Rather than recreating classic cars for production, the series encourages designers to explore how legacy can influence modern aesthetics, proportions, and signature elements. Each reinterpretation pays homage to the past while showcasing the creative capabilities of Škoda’s contemporary design team.For the Škoda 100 Concept, the goal was not replication but evolution. It is a modern, confident tribute to a car that broke milestones and shaped automotive memories for generations. Although it will never enter production, it stands as a compelling statement about how a classic can be reborn with today’s vision, technology, and design language.A Modern Tribute to a Historic StandardThe Škoda 100 Concept demonstrates how thoughtfully a legacy model can be reinterpreted without relying on retro cues. Its proportions, rear-engine inspiration, clean surfaces, sculpted details, and bold design choices all reflect a philosophy that honors history while truly embracing the future.The original Škoda 100 was celebrated for its practicality, elegance, and simplicity. This new concept carries those same qualities but expresses them through the precision and sophistication of Modern Solid. In doing so, Škoda illustrates how past and present can intersect to create a design study that is as meaningful as it is visually striking.The result is not merely a tribute but a fresh exploration of identity, showing how Škoda’s heritage continues to inspire new ideas and push creative boundaries.