When the original Škoda 100 rolled out of Mladá Boleslav in 1969, it was the brand’s first true people’s car—affordable, modestly powered, and eventually a million-seller. But designer Martin Paclt, a veteran of Škoda’s exterior team, saw something more in its clean lines and easy-going silhouette. His reinterpretation of the 100 isn’t a nostalgia play or retro tribute. It’s a complete reframing of a Czech icon as a premium, electric, limousine-leaning sedan—with engineering decisions as bold as its styling.
A Familiar Shape, Upsized for the Future
Paclt’s early sketches weren’t anchored in the past as much as in current Škoda form language. “I drew from the proportions of the Superb,” he says, and the resulting concept naturally grew wider, longer, and more planted than the 1969 model. This was intentional: the 100’s timeless simplicity, he argues, resonates with Škoda’s present-day Modern Solid design approach.
Crucially, he avoided the obvious trap—retro mimicry. The concept carries over the essence of the original through stance and proportion rather than copy-pasted details. It remains a classic three-box sedan, but with broad, flowing surfaces, a confident posture, and the kind of visual elegance that the old 100 hinted at but never fully embodied.
The Original: A Million-Selling Everyman
Between 1969 and 1977, Škoda built 1,079,708 units of the 100/110 series. For a country where private-car ownership was rare, this rear-engine, rear-drive sedan became a national staple. Its 1.0- or 1.1-liter four-cylinder engines eked out 35 to 46 kW, depending on trim. But what truly cemented its popularity were its proportions, fold-flat seats, and simple yet upscale detailing.
Those visual hallmarks provided raw material for Paclt’s reinterpretation—but only as a starting point.
Honoring the Past With Modern Tech
Look closely at the new concept and the callbacks become clever rather than literal:
- A four-element headlight signature replaces the original circular lamps.
- A sculpted bonnet with a central crease carries the Škoda logo like a modern hood ornament.
- Fine light strips front and rear reinterpret the old chrome trim and rear venting.
- And the bold oval graphic—front and back—echoes a defining motif of the original 100.
But then Paclt’s design takes a decidedly unconventional turn.
The Car With No Rear Window
Yes, you read that correctly.
The original 100’s front and rear glass were nearly interchangeable. Paclt seized on that quirk and flipped the idea: what if the rear glass disappeared entirely?
The result is a striking, sculptural rear end where body panels mirror the form language of the front. It’s dramatic, rule-breaking, and guaranteed to split opinions. Which, Paclt says, is the point. “Design should evoke emotions.”
This decision also opened the door for technical creativity. With no window to occupy the upper rear section, Paclt integrated a roof-level fresh-air intake, assisted by subtle vents in the fenders. This feeds cooling air to the rear-mounted electric drivetrain—another nod to the 1969 car’s rear-engine layout.
Everything in the Back—Again
Paclt preserved the spirit of the original 100’s mechanical layout but repackaged it for the EV era. The electric motor and key components sit behind the cabin, enabling:
- Rear-wheel drive, which he openly admits he enjoys;
- A pushed-forward front axle for a short overhang and dynamic stance;
- A primary front trunk, supplemented by a small upper storage area over the rear drivetrain.
It’s a smart blend of nostalgia, practicality, and EV packaging.
Designed From Scratch, With Pencil First
For a designer whose specialty is headlamps, crafting a full concept car was a rare opportunity. Paclt began with fast pencil sketches—his preferred method for testing ideas quickly. Once the theme clicked, he refined it and built a 3D model atop the current Superb’s vehicle package, adjusting width and track to create a properly grounded, premium presence.
His decade-plus at Škoda includes work on the Enyaq, Karoq, Kamiq, Kodiaq, and concept studies such as Vision X, Vision 7S, and the recent Vision O. The 100 reinterpretation let him step beyond lighting and into full-body form, a shift he hopes to pursue more in the future.
A Czech Classic Reimagined for the EV Age
The result is a confident, modern, and unmistakably Škoda reinterpretation—one that respects the 100’s history while daring to break conventions, including abandoning the rear window entirely. It’s not a production preview, but it’s a thoughtful exploration of how heritage models can inspire something fresh rather than simply nostalgic.
If Škoda ever green-lit a futuristic, limousine-like EV with rear-mounted power and a design philosophy driven by purity over ornamentation, this is the blueprint.
Source: Škoda
