Skoda’s passion for design has been a driving force for 130 years – with iconic models from the brand’s history continuing to provide design teams with inspiration. To highlight Skoda’s remarkable ‘back catalogue’ of classics, the brand has developed a series of re-imagined icons with models such as the 200 RS, 1203 van and Voiturette getting a 21st century reboot.
Skoda’s latest concept is it’s boldest yet, and the first to incorporate the brand’s striking Modern Solid design language. The new concept takes its inspiration from one of the most important vehicles in Skoda’s history – the Slavia B motorcycle.
Designed and built under the Laurin & Klement brand (the company that would eventually become Skoda Auto), the two-wheeler was incredibly advanced for its time and was responsible for cementing the brand’s reputation for innovation.
Skoda’s Modern Solid design language blends minimalism with strength, focusing on bold shapes, clean lines, and functional forms. It reflects a shift towards electric mobility, sustainability and digitalisation.
Given that the Skoda story began in 1895 with bicycles and later motorcycles, the brand’s decision to start its new series of classic concepts with a two-wheeler is fitting. Inspired by the 1899 Slavia B, the concept motorcycle retains the signature frame silhouette of the original, but strips it back for the electric age. The area once reserved for the combustion engine now sits open, with the Skoda logo seemingly suspended within the frame. A bold vertical line divides the front and rear sections, highlighting the sculptural balance between nostalgia and innovation.
The concept was led by French designer Romain Bucaille, who normally works on Skoda car exteriors. “I wanted to go back to the brand’s roots,” he explains. “As someone who also loves motorcycles, this was a refreshing change and a great creative challenge.”
The front of the concept nods to Václav Laurin’s pioneering work in motorcycle geometry and control, while a minimal, floating seat and integrated leather tool bag reference the bike’s sporting legacy. It’s a subtle homage to Narcis Podsedníček, the factory rider who famously finished the 1901 Paris–Berlin race aboard a Slavia B.
Bucaille describes the final concept as a “futuristic café racer in Modern Solid style”, complete with clean contours, crisp edges, and a distinctive lighting signature – elements now synonymous with Skoda’s evolving design identity. The blend of simple volumes and functional details stays true to the brand’s current philosophy, while adding a modern twist.
The design process was hands-on from the start. “I began with pencil sketches – it had been a while since I’d drawn a motorcycle,” Romain admits. “But the great thing about sketching on paper is that it’s instant. No need for a screen – just ideas flowing freely.” Those sketches eventually evolved into a trio of digital renders, each exploring different aspects of the concept’s form before the final design emerged.
This reinterpretation of the Slavia B isn’t destined for production, but it does serve as a compelling statement of intent. With more iconic reworks to follow, Skoda is showing that its future vision is firmly rooted in a rich and inventive past.
