I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdogs. While most car enthusiasts drool over Italian exotics or German engineering marvels, I’ve been the one digging through the oddities of the past—the quirky, boxy machines that carried as much charm as they did mechanical flaws. And among those gems, one of my all-time favorites was the Skoda 110 R.
Nicknamed the “Porsche of the East”, this rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupe was featherlight, quirky, and—let’s be honest—underpowered. With a 1.1-liter engine pumping out a “whopping” 61 horsepower, it wasn’t exactly fast. But it had something many modern cars lack: character. Its droopy headlights alone had more personality than an entire lineup of today’s crossovers.
So you can imagine my face when I stumbled upon it online recently. The 110 R—reborn. Only this wasn’t the car I remembered. This was sharper, more angular, almost cyberpunk in its execution. It looked like it had fought a Tesla Cybertruck in a back alley and won. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Skoda 110 R Electric Concept.
Retro Soul, Futuristic Body
Created by young designer Richard Svec, this concept isn’t some lazy retro remake. It’s a masterclass in design that honors the past while embracing the future.
-
The fastback silhouette is pure 1970s nostalgia.
-
The hidden headlights? A genius twist—they retract behind rectangular body panels.
-
The side air intakes above the rear wheels? On the original, they kept the gas engine from overheating. On this concept, they cool the battery pack.
That’s not just clever design—it’s poetry in engineering.
Power: From Hamster Wheel to Racehorse
The old 110 R was about momentum, not speed. Sixty-one horsepower meant that every hill was a question mark. But this modern concept? Skoda hints it could use the rear-mounted electric motor from its current Enyaq SUV, delivering an estimated 282 horsepower.
Let’s put that into perspective:
| Car | Engine/Motor | Power Output | Drive Layout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda 110 R (1970s) | 1.1L Gasoline | 61 hp | Rear-engine, RWD |
| Skoda 110 R Electric Concept | Electric Motor (likely Enyaq) | ~282 hp | Rear-mounted, RWD |
That’s nearly five times the power, all sent to the rear wheels—just as the automotive gods intended. It’s like swapping out a hamster on a wheel for a caffeinated thoroughbred racehorse.
Motorsport Spirit, Reimagined
The details scream motorsport heritage:
-
Wide, swollen fenders ready for a rally stage.
-
Center-lock wheels with aero covers.
-
Even a roll cage peeking through the windows.
It doesn’t just honor the 110 R’s racing past—it feels like the car that scrappy little coupe always dreamed of becoming.
The Catch: You Can’t Buy It
And here’s the heartbreak. This masterpiece exists only as pixels. It’s not in production, not in prototype form—just a bold concept to showcase Skoda’s design potential.
Automakers do this often: show us a dream, then return to building safe, sensible SUVs. It’s like dangling a perfectly cooked steak in front of a hungry dog—then eating it yourself while maintaining eye contact.
Why It Still Matters
Even if it never makes it to production, this concept matters because it shows what’s possible. It’s proof that an electric car doesn’t have to be just practical and sensible—it can be fun, soulful, and packed with character.
If enough people get excited, maybe Skoda will take the risk and bring something like this to life. After all, the world already has plenty of practical EVs. What we need now is one that’s willing to break the rules and make us smile.
Final Thoughts
Skoda, if you’re listening: you’ve nailed it. You’ve created a love letter to your history while writing the next chapter in electric mobility. You’ve made an electric car that doesn’t just tick the boxes—it tugs at the heart.
Don’t let it sit forgotten on a designer’s hard drive. Build it. Be brave. The future of electric cars shouldn’t just be efficient—it should be fun.
👉 Would you buy a production version of the Skoda 110 R Electric if it became real?