Skoda’s virtual laboratory: five concepts to reinvent tradition

Neo-retro is no longer a simple nod to the past: since the days of Renault’s R5 prototype, nostalgia sells, and Skoda has understood this well. The Czech company is now exploring this trend, but prefers the virtual terrain to give free rein to its imagination, transforming its old best-sellers into digital concepts that seem ready to travel the streets of 2025. Between collective memory, electric technologies and small style discoveries, the manufacturer signs a distinctive touch which could reshuffle the cards of European automotive design.

Renault leads the way: Skoda responds with a bold neo-retro style

Renault launched the trend in 2021. R5, 4L, electric Twingo: many names that awaken the memories of a generation and reassure future buyers of a trendy car. The drawing car he has rarely been this emotional. At Skoda, the furniture was set up for the first time in the studio in Mladá Boleslav, in front of old sketches of the Favorit and 110R. The teams saw a strategic window: to play the card of vintage carsbut without an exact copy.

This difference is found in three pillars: the digital phase, the absence of factory constraints and the freedom of the formal language. In other words, no launch date, no press lines to adapt, not even calculating material costs. It all happens behind the screens, with near-photorealistic 3D rendering and physical modeling that can simulate airflow or nighttime lighting.

The reasons for the immediate success

• 🎯 Affective reminder : the consumer recognizes the old models of his childhood.
• ⚡ Stylistic innovation : continuous light signature, XXL wheel arches, no rear window.
• 🌍 Global market : Renault focuses mainly on Europe; Skoda is targeting Central Europe but also Asia thanks to digital.
• 📈 Network effect : Every 3D rendering goes viral on networks and increases the love level.

The duel, reported by Auto Plus and Auto-Loisirs, is already fueling forums and designer cafes. And the question arises: when will there be a production version? Skoda is holding back for the moment, leaving the mystery lingering and fueling rumors of limited production for 2026.

Skoda’s virtual laboratory: five concepts to reinvent tradition

In the wake of digital, the style center presented five prototypes. They all draw from the past, but show a common direction: stylistic innovation at the service of a new identity. Graphic designers use Unreal Engine software to create videos in which the bodywork reacts to light like real metal. The illusion is perfect; the public already sees the vehicles circulating in Prague.

The five virtual stars

1. 🚙 Favorite 2025: Compact station wagon with flat origami-style surfaces.
2. 🏎️ 110R E-Legacy: electric sports coupé, fastback profile.
3. 🛻 Felicia Fun E-Pick: modular bucket, apple green plastic arches.
4. 🚐 1203 NeoVan: family minivan, reverse sliding doors.
5. 🚗 100 Modern Solid: rear-engine sedan, which we will talk about again.

These creations, detailed by The Argus and the Techno-Car website, reveal an uncompromising process: engineers imagine the ideal technical sheet, then the volume adapts. No production bottlenecks to manage. This opens the door to experiments such as the retractable 360° camera or portable inflatable seats intended for camping. The contestants are watching.

Beyond the buzz, this virtual laboratory serves as the basis for a broader reflection: how to guarantee the electrical transition without erasing the personality? Renault has an answer; Skoda offers another, no less credible, where the modernized retro serves as a vector of technological acceptance.

Focus on the Skoda 100 Modern Solid: the icon of the Seventies becomes electric

THE Skoda 100 it was not originally war lightning. Rear engine, 48 hp, simple style. Yet it represents a historic milestone: the first Skoda to exceed one million units in Czechoslovakia. Designer Martin Paclt has chosen this legacy to explore the future. It is based on the Modern Solid language: taut surfaces, horizontal bonnet, large aerodynamic wheels. The wink? A thin LED strip reminiscent of the chrome strip of the 70s.

Architecture redesigned, emotions preserved

• 🔌 Rear engine preserved but 100% electric, 250 hp.
• 🌬️ Roof vents, battery cooling.
• 🧳 350 L front trunk, no combustion engine.
• 🪟 Without rear window: HD camera + 8″ screen in the passenger compartment.
• 🎵 Sound signature inspired by a four-cylinder, transmitted through external speakers.

This concept fascinates the media, as reported by Le Blog Auto. Comparisons abound: some see the nose of the Peugeot e-Legend, others a nod to the Polestar 4 which has had the rear window removed. It doesn’t matter: the audience loves the staging. An augmented reality video also allows you to park the 100 Modern Solid in your living room via smartphone.

Between mechanical workshops and virtual fairs: who’s waiting for what?

The debate is no longer limited to trade fair stands. It also operates Renault dealerships and independent workshops. Mechanics welcome the return of old silhouettes – this sometimes simplifies body maintenance. Collectors fear the arrival of reissues that could dilute the value of their authentic models.

Three audiences, three expectations

1. 🛠️ Maintenance professionals : simplified parts, removable battery modules.
2. 💼 Company fleets : young image, ZFE zone exemption.
3. 💕 Nostalgic : desire to relive childhood memories without giving up connectivity.

Sites like Caradisiac or Jeunes Euro-Réalistes are already compiling surveys and petitions for at least one concept to make it to production. The ball is in the Volkswagen Group’s court, which is studying the MEB Entry platform as a possible support. Within the group, Seat has also targeted the 110R E-Legacy for its Cupra range, a sign that the neo-retro style also serves as an internal weapon in the brand’s strategies.

For body shops the big challenge will be the repair of composite panels. Training courses are starting: dent removal courses on 3D printed materials, calibration of rear cameras to replace windshields… A new profession of “retro-future operator” is already appearing on some specialized job boards.

When emotion creates value: neo-retro design in 2025

Is it a fashion effect or the birth of a new classicism? Autoscope analysts see a long cycle: automotive trend at the moment, the neo-retro will conquer as long as the electric has to reassure. In other words, emotion serves as a screen for technological change. Renault has crystallized it, Skoda magnifies it in its renderings. Others will follow tomorrow: Ford Maverick Heritage, Peugeot 405 E-Spirit, why not?

The benefits of an emotional wave

• 🚀 Differentiation faced with the homogeneity of SUVs.
• 📚 Cultural transmission : Young people discover the legends of their parents.
• 🔁 Circular economy : reuse of the frame, energy-saving LED lighting.
• 🤝 Community : clubs, co-branded events, historic NFTs.

The future remains open, but the message is clear: the neo-retro style it’s no longer a gimmick. It becomes a recognized language, carrying financial and emotional value. For Skoda the equation is simple: turn digital testing into a commercial victory without losing the spirit. Renault is watching, as are investors. The high-margin limited edition track is gaining weight. And each new 3D rendering fuels a collective imagination, ready to pay tomorrow to ride yesterday… with today’s technology.

Why doesn’t Skoda produce its neo-retro concepts immediately?

The producer tests the public reaction and refines the industrial feasibility, without exposing his budget to the risk of premature production.

Is the rear motor really relevant in an electric vehicle?

Yes, because it frees up the front boot and reduces the length of the high voltage cables, evoking the architecture of the original Skoda 100.

Can virtual models influence the evaluation of old ones?

They boost the historic model’s reputation and attract new collectors, but an influx of modern versions could also dilute their rarity.

What are the differences with Renault’s approach?

Renault produces physical prototypes for wide distribution, while Skoda uses digital technology to explore creative avenues before any decisions are made.

Will we see a neo-retro Skoda in dealerships?

Nothing official, but the Volkswagen group is considering limited production if demand is confirmed, possibly starting in 2026.