Skoda 110 R returns in a bold Modern Solid vision

Skoda designer Richard Svec presents a radical reinterpretation of the iconic 110 R coupe, blending heritage, motorsport spirit and Modern Solid design cues.

The legendary Skoda 110 R coupé has been reimagined in a striking new form by designer Richard Svec. His work is part of the series Icons Get a Makeover, in which Skoda Design revisits historic models and translates their spirit into the brand’s Modern Solid design language.

The original 110 R was built between 1970 and 1980 at the Kvasiny plant. Weighing only 880 kilograms and powered by a 1,107 cc engine producing 45.6 kW, it reached a top speed of 145 km/h. More than just an elegant coupé, it became the foundation for racing machines such as the 200 RS prototype and the highly successful 130 RS, which triumphed in the under-1300 cc class at the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally and later secured the ETCC manufacturers’ title in 1981.

Svec, who joined Skoda in 2023 as part of the digital modelling team, deliberately avoided a retro approach. His vision of the 110 R features clean, geometric surfaces yet still pays homage to the past. Flared fenders, a roll cage, centre-lock wheels and ribbing on the hood nod to the motorsport legend of the 130 RS.

The reinterpretation also embraces high-tech features. Side mirrors are replaced by cameras, headlights are concealed and emerge only when needed, while the illuminated Skoda logo introduces a fresh brand signature. The design incorporates the new Tech-loop lighting motif, first presented with the Vision O concept, and the rear panel highlights a standalone illuminated logo.

Equally important is the drivetrain concept: the modern 110 R is envisioned as an electric car. Air intakes serve potential battery cooling functions, and the absence of a bulky cooling system allows the surfaces to remain clean and uncluttered.

The design process combined sketching on paper with digital refinement and 3D modelling. For Svec, whose passion for cars was shaped by Sunday Formula 1 traditions, the project reflects both personal inspiration and the demands of a new era.

The Icons Get a Makeover series has already featured imaginative reinterpretations of models such as the playful Felicia Fun and an electrified Favorit. These exercises are not previews of production cars, but creative studies praised by the media for respecting heritage without sinking into nostalgia.

In this light, the radical 110 R vision is more than a stylistic exercise. It is a tribute to Skoda’s past and a statement of Modern Solid design philosophy that will shape the brand’s future.