Modern Skoda Sport concept revives Le Mans heritage

Skoda designer Daniel Petr reimagines the 1950 Skoda Sport, blending classic Le Mans design with Modern Solid philosophy for a visionary tribute.

To mark Skoda's 130th anniversary, designer Daniel Petr has unveiled a striking reinterpretation of the legendary Skoda Sport. This is no mere design exercise—it's a respectful tribute to the brand’s past, filtered through the lens of its new Modern Solid design language.

The original Skoda Sport made history in 1950 as the only car from the brand to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Built on the Skoda 1101 "Tudor" platform, the lightweight two-seater weighed just 700 kilograms and featured a hand-crafted aluminium body, a 1.1-liter engine with 50 horsepower, and a top speed of 140 km/h. Despite modest power, it was remarkably fuel-efficient, allowing it to stay longer on the track without refuelling. However, after 13 hours and 121 laps, the car was forced to retire due to a broken piston pin. Political tensions of the time later prevented further participation.

Seventy-five years later, Daniel Petr brings the Skoda Sport back to life—this time as a concept car designed not for production, but as a visual bridge between heritage and vision. Before sketching, Petr dug into company archives, studying blueprints and vintage photos that, in his words, “pulled him into the process.”

The modern version retains defining elements like the muscular fenders, side profile, and the horizontal grille slats—now reinterpreted with a carbon fibre Tech-Deck Face. The white bodywork, red lower stripe, and vertical blue accent all mirror the original livery. Interestingly, the blue stripe now serves a practical purpose, functioning as a cooling vent. The number 44, proudly displayed on the side, also echoes the car’s Le Mans appearance.

Yet this concept is no replica. It incorporates modern features such as carbon wheel covers and aggressive air intakes. Petr envisioned it as a present-day race car, possibly equipped with a combustion or hybrid powertrain—hence the prominent ventilation design.

The design process stretched across a month, fitted in between his work on RS and rally models for Skoda Motorsport. Despite the workload, Petr described the project as relaxing and creatively fulfilling.

There are no production plans for the concept. It was created exclusively for the "Icons Get a Makeover" series, which previously reimagined the 200 RS and Ferat, among others. While not a preview of future models, the project underscores Skoda’s deep motorsport roots and its thoughtful approach to preserving and reinterpreting legacy.