Skoda Simply Clever features celebrate 130 years of ideas

Skoda marks 130 years with Simply Clever solutions, from the Superb’s door umbrella and Fabia bag hooks to the Rapid ice scraper and modern patented details.

Skoda is marking 130 years of history, and the Simply Clever philosophy once again comes into focus. It has become synonymous with small ideas that make everyday driving easier.

The ice scraper is the best-known example. First seen in 2012 on the Rapid, it was built into the fuel filler cap. Later it gained new functions, such as a tire tread depth gauge, and in electric cars it moved to the boot lid. For EV drivers Skoda also created a charging cable cleaner, a solution tailored for modern mobility.

The story goes back further. In 2001 the Fabia introduced bag hooks in the luggage compartment, while the Superb surprised drivers with an umbrella stored in the door — a detail that became one of the brand’s signatures. A few years later the Roomster concept presented new approaches to interior flexibility and storage, many of which made it into production cars.

Today Simply Clever encompasses more than sixty features: pop-out door protectors, a QR code in the boot that links to video guides, a washer fluid cap that doubles as a funnel, and a ticket holder on the windscreen. The unifying rule is clear — every solution must be simple, safe, and practical.

The tradition reaches back decades. In 1925 the Laurin & Klement Skoda 110 offered a convertible body that could be reconfigured, and in 1935 engineers tested a snow-going Popular with skis and chains. Even early Slavia bicycles featured a valve cap on a chain so it would not roll away.

Some of these clever details are patented. Anchor-shaped bag hooks and the Superb’s twin door system are notable examples. In 2019 the company filed 94 patent applications, many of them linked to Simply Clever ideas.

Behind each feature stands a team of designers, engineers, and managers. An idea must align with the brand, pass technical assessments, endure stress testing, and meet safety standards before it enters series production.

The Simply Clever story is not a collection of isolated details but a continuous thread connecting Skoda’s past with its future. From the umbrella in the door and the bag hooks to the ice scraper and modern QR solutions, every invention reflects the company’s drive to make cars practical and thoughtfully designed.