Milton Keynes, 29 May 2025 — Blending legacy with innovation, Škoda has unveiled a bold new electric concept that pays homage to one of its most influential vehicles: the Škoda Favorit. As the latest instalment in a series of visionary reinterpretations, this reimagined classic embodies the brand’s commitment to design heritage while embracing the clean lines and quiet confidence of its Modern Solid philosophy.
Launched in the late 1980s, the original Favorit was more than a practical family hatchback — it was a symbol of resilience and ingenuity. Developed under the weight of the Iron Curtain, it defied the limitations of its era with a design penned by Bertone and engineering that earned global recognition. It was the first Škoda to move away from rear-mounted engines, and it paved the way for the company’s evolution into a world-class carmaker, eventually catching the attention of Volkswagen.
Fast forward to 2025, and Škoda is once again turning heads with a fresh take on this revered nameplate. Leading the design charge is Ljudmil Slavov, whose minimalist yet expressive approach seeks not to replicate the Favorit’s aesthetics, but to distil its spirit.
“I didn’t want to rely on current design elements like the Tech-Deck Face,” says Slavov. “This is a tribute to the Favorit, so I carefully studied the original details, aiming to evolve and elevate them.”
The result is a striking electric concept that balances reverence with reinvention. Clean, geometric surfaces communicate confidence, while subtle nods to the original Favorit offer a sense of familiarity without veering into retro pastiche. One such example is the lighting design — a standout element both functionally and stylistically.
Back in the 1980s, Škoda and Bertone wrestled with how to incorporate large, locally manufactured headlamps into the Favorit’s shape. Today, Slavov answers that challenge with elegant LED strips embedded behind semi-transparent housings that match the original lamp proportions. These units can display dynamic light patterns, offering a futuristic twist on a historical constraint — and even the option for owner personalisation.
This concept, while not destined for production, signals a larger movement within Škoda. It’s a celebration of the brand’s engineering heritage and design resilience — qualities that remain central to its identity in the electric age. The Favorit Concept follows earlier reinterpretations of the 200 RS rally car, the 1203 van, and the Laurin & Klement Voiturette — all part of a growing tribute collection that links Škoda’s pioneering past with its sustainable, digitally led future.
For Škoda, heritage is not a look back — it’s a launchpad. The new Favorit concept proves that the brand’s most iconic vehicles still have something to say, even decades after their debut. Through projects like this, Škoda is not only preserving history but recharging it with the energy and optimism of tomorrow.
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