The world of cars has become a downright peculiar place. Once upon a time, an estate car was the domain of families with a labrador and a penchant for camping holidays in the Ardennes. Nowadays? Well, let’s just say the estate has slid into the status of a yellowed photo album: nostalgic, but not exactly trendy. Until now. Skoda, that Czech master of affordable reliability, is breathing new life into the dusty image of the estate with the Vision O. And trust me, this isn’t some dull boot-on-wheels. This is an electric firecracker that makes you wonder why you’d even bother with an SUV.
Let’s start with how this Vision O looks. At 4.85 metres long, it slots neatly between Skoda’s Octavia and Superb Combi, but in terms of style, it’s a completely different beast. Picture a sleek, aerodynamic shape that looks like it was sculpted in a wind tunnel. Sharp nose, active shutters, retractable door handles – everything screams efficiency. The T-shaped rear light clusters and illuminated Skoda logos give it a futuristic swagger you wouldn’t expect from a brand once known for its no-nonsense approach. They call it a “shooting brake” themselves, and frankly, that sounds a hell of a lot sexier than plain old “estate”, doesn’t it?
But it gets even better. Step inside, and you’re greeted by an interior straight out of a sci-fi flick. The centrepiece? The “Horizon Display”, a 1.2-metre digital dashboard stretching from door to door. That’s not a screen; it’s a bloody cinema. Fancy taking it easy? No problem – Laura, Skoda’s new AI assistant, answers your questions while you cruise through traffic. Or rather, while the car does it for you, because the Vision O comes with autonomous driving features. Yep, you read that right: this estate can drive itself. Switch on autonomous mode, and the lighting changes patterns to warn other road users that you’re chilling with a coffee. Only in extreme conditions – think torrential rain or fog so thick you can’t see your own hand – do you need to grab the wheel again.
Now, let’s talk about the heart of the matter: this is a 100% electric car. No coughing diesel or purring petrol engine here, just whisper-quiet electric power. Skoda’s keeping tight-lipped about the exact specs, but with all that aerodynamic wizardry, you can bet the range will be impressive. This is a car built to devour miles, whether you’re heading to the coast or planning a road trip to the Alps. And let’s be honest, in a world where petrol stations will soon be as rare as a civilized political debate, this is exactly what you need.
What makes the Vision O truly special is how Skoda honours the past while charging full throttle into the future. Estate cars were once the kings of the road, loved for their practicality and ability to haul half a household. But in an era where SUVs dominate the market, it’s refreshing to see a brand dare to say, “You know what? An estate can still be cool.” And cool it is. The Vision O isn’t a dusty relic; it’s a glimpse of what’s to come. Skoda’s celebrating its 130th anniversary at the Munich Motor Show, where this beauty is unveiled, and they couldn’t have picked a better way to mark the occasion.
Of course, this is still a concept car, but Skoda hints that the production version isn’t far off – maybe as early as 2027. If they can get this thing on the road with the same flair and tech, it might just be the car that drags the estate out of obscurity. And who knows, maybe we’ll soon see labradors leaping out of the boot again, but without the wet dog smell and with a silent, electric whoosh.
For those already itching to dive into the electric revolution, check out our marketplace at https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/. You’ll find a whole range of 100% electric cars to browse and buy. Because let’s face it: the future is electric, and that future starts now.
