PRAGUE: Škoda Automobil has unveiled an electric reinterpretation of its late-1980s Favorit model as part of a broader series honouring more than 130 years of design heritage.
The Czech marque has previously revisited classics such as the 200 RS, the 1203 van and the original Voiturette, updating each with its Modern Solid design language.
The new Favorit concept retains the familiar silhouette of the original while incorporating fully electric propulsion and contemporary styling cues.
Developed under the Iron Curtain amid resource constraints, the original Favorit marked Škoda’s breakthrough into markets beyond Eastern Europe and caught the attention of Volkswagen, laying the groundwork for Škoda’s evolution into a global brand.
Designer Ljudmil Slavov chose to rework the model by avoiding retro motifs in favour of a simplified, minimalistic form aligned with Škoda’s current design ethos. He went through archival details to ensure the concept stayed true to the original’s spirit while presenting a modern execution.
The headlamp treatment is a highlight of the concept. Whereas the Bertone-designed original struggled to integrate large Czechoslovak-made lamps, the new version uses ultra-slim LED strips set behind semi-transparent covers that echo the size and volume of the original lights. These covers are designed to project customisable lighting patterns, allowing owners to personalise their vehicle’s illumination.
Škoda said this concept won't go into production. It merely serves as a statement of intent, showing how the brand intends to fuse its inventive past with future electric mobility.
