In the 1960s, the Škoda 1000 MBX was a small but daring expression of style and optimism — a Czech coupé that carried the carefree confidence of its era without pretending to be a sports car. With frameless doors, no B-pillars, and the mechanical heartbeat of a modest 988-cc engine, it wasn’t built to outrun anything. But it looked like freedom, and that counted for a lot.

Now, more than half a century later, two Škoda designers — Antti Mikael Savio and David Stingl — have resurrected that same spirit in a new concept: a modern reinterpretation of the MBX, envisioned through the brand’s current Modern Solid design philosophy. The result isn’t retro cosplay. It’s something braver: a sleek, compact coupé that dares to blend elegance with everyday practicality in an age obsessed with aggression and performance.

A Friendly Face in a World of Frowns

“Our concept is sportier overall, yet still has a friendly look,” says exterior designer Antti Savio, whose Scandinavian touch brings a subtle confidence to the car’s face. “Modern sports cars often appear overly aggressive, while those from the ’60s and ’70s carried a certain elegance — even endearing charm. That’s what I wanted to preserve.”

He’s succeeded. The 1000 MBX concept’s stance is taut but approachable, its surfaces muscular yet unpretentious. There are gentle nods to the original MBX — raised headlamps perched above the bonnet line, a defined character crease along the flanks, and a distinctive C-pillar treatment. But there’s no nostalgia trap here. Instead of a rear window, a sculpted panel hides a generous cargo area, while a rear-view camera handles visibility. It’s clever, modern, and slightly rebellious — just like the original car’s frameless doors once were.

Savio admits to drawing inspiration from product design and brutalist architecture, infusing the bodywork with bold geometric simplicity. “I studied buildings and objects in that style,” he explains. “The goal was to create confident, unusual forms that express strength and character.”

Inside, Modern Solid Meets Modern Practicality

Interior designer David Stingl, just 24 years old, brings a fresh sensibility to the cabin — one that refuses to compromise between form and function. The interior is laid out in a 2+2 configuration atop a flat-floor electric platform. The front seats merge into a wide, lounge-like bench, while the two individual rear seats can tip up cinema-style to open up surprising cargo space.

“This car should encourage its crew to go exploring without hesitation,” says Stingl. “It’s not meant to be just a fun weekend coupé — it’s a vehicle with exceptional everyday usability.”

Fold those rear seats and you’ve got room for luggage, a bicycle, or sports gear. Add air suspension, and the MBX can raise itself for rough paths or lower for that perfect sporty stance.

The dashboard design is equally thoughtful: a glass-covered oval module projects essential information, a futuristic reinterpretation of the original car’s instrument panel. The oval motif repeats throughout — in the steering wheel, headrests, and trim elements — while chrome accents give way to illuminated graphics and ambient lighting, perfectly aligned with Škoda’s Modern Solid aesthetic.

A Design Born from Wine and Paper Napkins

The MBX concept wasn’t born in a sterile design studio under strict deadlines. According to Savio, one of the breakthrough ideas came “over a glass of wine in a bar.” He asked the waiter for paper and a pen, sketched the concept, and the rest flowed from there. “We met at least twice a week to discuss how the interior and exterior should connect,” Savio recalls. “Early sketches became digital 3D models, evolving into something that felt authentically Škoda.”

For Stingl, who began working in 3D environments at just 15, the project was a dream come true. “Design, to me, is like a great story made physical,” he says. His MBX interior tells that story — one of optimism, simplicity, and purposeful beauty.

A Tribute Without Nostalgia

The original 1000 MBX was derived from the humble 1000 MB sedan, Škoda’s first car with a self-supporting body and a revolutionary aluminum engine block. Built in small numbers between 1966 and 1969, only 2,517 MBX coupés ever left Mladá Boleslav. Today, the few surviving examples are cult treasures — charming reminders of an era when elegance and ingenuity mattered more than horsepower.

The new MBX concept doesn’t seek to revive that car in a literal sense. Instead, it captures the feeling — that sense of accessible sophistication and youthful curiosity. It’s a car designed not to dominate racetracks, but to inspire weekend escapes, to remind us that design can be kind as well as bold.

From Finland to the Future

Savio, a Finnish designer who’s been with Škoda for 17 years, describes himself as “a true youngtimer enthusiast” — and with 43 classic cars owned over the years, he’s not exaggerating. Stingl, meanwhile, represents the next generation of Škoda design: pragmatic, digital-native, yet emotionally connected to the art of the automobile.

Together, their reinterpretation of the Škoda 1000 MBX bridges eras — 1966 meets 2025 — with sincerity, not irony. It’s proof that even in the electric age, there’s still room for charm, elegance, and human warmth in car design.

In a world of angry grilles and overcompensating horsepower wars, the MBX concept smiles quietly — and invites you along for the drive.

Source: Škoda