An icon reimagined: Slavia B as a café racer

Designers at Škoda Auto have once again taken a deep dive into the brand’s rich history. Inspired by legendary models, they’ve reinterpreted them through the lens of contemporary design. How would these icons look today, in the era of the Modern Solid design language? First to be revealed is a reincarnation of the Slavia B motorcycle — a machine that practically begs to be taken for a spin.

22. 4. 2025 Concepts

The Czech carmaker’s roots go all the way back to bicycles and motorcycles produced under the Laurin & Klement name. So, for the opening of this new series — in which designers give a modern twist to the brand’s most iconic vehicles — it makes perfect sense to start with a two-wheeler.

The motorcycle concept was developed by French designer Romain Bucaille, who works on car exteriors at Škoda Design. “I wanted to do something unique and go back to the brand’s roots. I work on cars every day, and since I also love motorcycles, creating one was really a refreshing change,” says Romain about what motivated him.

Iconic shapes across three centuries

In his sketchbook, a modern interpretation of the Laurin & Klement Slavia B gradually took shape. The original version of the motorcycle dates back to 1899 which means it saw the light of day in the century before last. For this remake, Romain went with a futuristic, all for the 21st century approach.

Despite the electric vision, the concept retains the signature frame shape of early Laurin & Klement motorcycles, where a combustion engine was once mounted. “It had a very distinctive form — the frame wrapped around the engine, protected it from below, and dipped lower than the rest of the structure,” Romain explains. This clever engineering solution served as the architectural basis for his elegant design.

Slavia B

The Slavia B was unveiled to the public in 1899 alongside the Slavia A. It was powered by a 240cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine with an output of 1.75 horsepower and a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). The motorcycle had no gearbox — power was transferred via a flat belt connected directly to the engine. Pedals were also included, used for starting and as auxiliary propulsion. A chain was used for power transmission. Between 1899 and 1904, Laurin & Klement produced 540 units of the Slavia B.

A tribute to extraordinary endurance

The futuristic Slavia B also nods to the original machine’s sporting heritage. Factory rider Narcis Podsedníček famously completed the gruelling Paris–Berlin race in 1901 as the only finisher out of ten motorcycles — all on a Slavia B. “I wanted to reference those sporty qualities in my concept. The seat is designed to look like it’s floating, disconnected from the body of the bike,” Romain explains. “I also added a vintage touch with a leather tool bag integrated into the frame — an essential item for endurance events back then.”

From paper to 3D model

Romain approached the motorcycle design the same way he tackles car projects in his daily work. “I started with pencil sketches to find the right proportions. Since it was a motorcycle, I had to practice a bit — it had been a while since I last drew one,” he laughs. “The great thing about paper is that you can sketch anywhere, anytime — no need for a tablet or computer.”

He then moved on to digital tools, creating three different sketches and renders with varying interpretations of the form of the machine. “It was a process of exploration. I kept sketching until I was happy with the result,” Romain says.

Romain Bucaille

French designer Romain Bucaille has been with Škoda Design since 2018 Before moving to Mladá Boleslav, he studied and worked in design — but his first degree was in mechanical engineering. Born and raised in France, Romain was a petrolhead from a young age. “There was no internet back then, so I’d eagerly wait for the next issue of my favourite motoring magazine every week. I watched car shows on TV and followed Formula 1 — I absorbed everything about cars,” he recalls. “Even then, I was fascinated by design sketches and futuristic concept studies.”

From the three initial design directions, Romain picked his favourite elements and fused them into a single, cohesive concept. This was then developed into a 3D model — a technique that is becoming increasingly common in Škoda’s design process. “3D modelling used to be something only modellers did, but now we designers use it more and more — it helps us evaluate proportions directly and early on,” Romain explains.

For him, working on a motorcycle concept was also a return to his roots. Before becoming a designer, he studied engineering — and his appreciation for classic mechanics still runs deep. “Modern cars tend to hide their mechanical parts, but motorcycles still showcase them. I love that,” he adds. And although his Slavia B lacks a combustion engine, it remains both a design masterpiece and a deeply emotional, engineering-inspired creation.