Let’s be honest: the world of electric cars is a parade of dull boxes on wheels. There’s one Tesla that looks like a skateboard with a roof, another that growls like a vacuum cleaner on steroids, and then that armada of crossovers that resemble fridges more than anything with spirit. But then Skoda rolls out its 110 R Vision 2025, and suddenly I remember why I love cars. This isn’t some concept gathering dust in a corner of an auto show; it’s a cry of rebellion, a retro-electric coupé that flips the bird at mediocrity.
Step back to the 1970s, when cars were still built by mustachioed blokes who scoffed at seatbelts. The original Skoda 110 R was one of those beasts: a 1.1-litre engine slung out back, coughing up 61 hp, a featherweight 880 kilos, and a top speed of 145 km/h – faster than your neighbour’s rusty moped. Rear-wheel drive, a coupé body that screamed “ready for the bends,” and enough character to wake an entire village. It wasn’t a supercar, but it felt like one, especially when you pictured that little engine hustling you through the foggy roads of Czechoslovakia.
Now, fast forward to today, and Skoda’s designer Richard Švec has dug up this icon and given it an electric makeover. No more petrol stains, no more eye-watering exhaust fumes – just pure, silent fury. The 110 R Vision 2025 sticks with that rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup, but with a battery tucked under the floor and a powertrain begging to be unleashed. Exact figures? Scarce, because it’s a concept, not a showpony with a price tag. But picture this: a performance EV that makes the old 110 R look like a tricycle. Sleek lines, flared fenders nodding to its rally heritage, and a ribbed bonnet that says “I’m built for the track, not the supermarket carpark.”
The design is where the magic happens. Skoda’s “Modern Solid” language – yes, it sounds like a slogan for a yoga class, but it works – gives this thing a black LED strip slicing across the front like a stealthy assassin. No silly grille, because why would you need one? This is electric, not a petrol-guzzler. The rear? Smooth and aggressive, without the clunky saloon vibe of the old 110. The result is a retro-futuristic coupé that looks like it was nicked from a James Bond flick, but one where the hero isn’t bankrolled by oil barons. Flared fenders for that muscle-car attitude, subtle air vents whispering “I’m fast,” and an interior that’s minimalist without being boring – think ergonomic seats and a dashboard more cockpit than tablet-on-wheels.
Let’s pause for the high-tech goodies, because this isn’t just a dusty homage. Advanced aerodynamics, likely with active spoilers that adjust to your driving style (or how late you are for coffee), and an infotainment system more intuitive than your smartphone on a bad day. It’s all hypothetical, of course, but in a world drowning in buttons, this feels like a breath of fresh air. Compare it to the competition: the Porsche 911 is too German-serious, the Mazda MX-5 too playful but too small, and those electric hot hatches? Fun, but they lack that coupé elegance. This 110 R would hit the sweet spot – affordable (hopefully), fun, and with enough torque to stretch your grin ear to ear.
Why must Skoda build this? Because the world needs it. We’ve got enough practical EVs that swallow luggage like an elephant, but too few cars that make your heart race. This is Skoda’s chance to break free from its “reliable but boring” image – think of how they revived the Favorit and Felicia Fun in concepts, and now this. Build it, Skoda. Make it a limited edition, or churn it out in series at a price that doesn’t bankrupt you. Otherwise, we’ll keep dreaming of what could’ve been, stuck in our dreary saloons.
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