An ice scraper, an umbrella, and dozens more. The birth of the Simply Clever phenomenon

The scraper has since become an indispensable part of nearly every Škoda car. Over time, it has evolved: the original Rapid version was a bright green design with soft polyamide surfaces to prevent scratching windows, while today’s scraper is made from recycled materials and even doubles as a tire tread depth gauge.

The current version of the scraper also conceals a tire tread depth gauge.

Sometimes innovation is required by a change in circumstances. Škoda electric models feature an ice scraper in the trunk lid, as the charging socket cover remains open during charging and is often left unattended, which could lead to the scraper being stolen. Electric cars also have their own special feature, a charging cable cleaner, which can be used when the cable is lying on dirty ground or in a puddle during charging.

 On Škoda electric models, you will find the ice scraper in the boot lid.

It all started with the umbrella and the hook in the trunk

While the ice scraper made winter mornings easier for countless drivers without garages, it is just one part of the Simply Clever mosaic. The term itself was first used for the Škoda Roomster concept, unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept impressed with its spaciousness, distinctive design, and smart features such as a sliding rear bench and swivel front seats. The production Roomster, launched three years later, came with numerous clever additions, including a PET bottle holder in the front doors and an elastic strap for securing newspapers. The luggage compartment featured sturdy fold-out hooks for shopping bags.

The bag hooks, however, debuted even earlier – in the 2001 Škoda Fabia sedan. That same year, the first modern Škoda Superb was introduced, bringing another hallmark Simply Clever feature: the umbrella integrated into the door.
 
Today, Simply Clever solutions can be found in every corner of Škoda cars. Many have become everyday essentials – from the ice scraper and umbrella to the integrated funnel for washer fluid, a ticket holder on the windscreen, or pop-out door protectors for tight parking spaces. Bringing this practicality into the digital era, a QR code in the luggage compartment now links drivers to video tutorials on how to use all the car’s smart features. Even more smart accessories are available through Škoda Genuine Accessories e-shop.
 

Innovation as part of our DNA

The tradition of clever ideas at Škoda goes back nearly a century. A prime example is the 1925 Laurin & Klement Škoda 110 with its convertible body design: the front section of the car remained fixed up to the front seats, while the rear could be reconfigured to transform the car from a two-seat to a four-seat convertible, or even into a two-seat utility vehicle with a flatbed trailer with a payload of 500 kg. With this ingenious solution, Mladá Boleslav engineers offered affordable flexibility at a time when automobiles were still regarded as luxury items.

We can also find a clever feature in the very beginnings of the brand. Slavia bicycles had a valve cap attached to a chain so that it wouldn't roll away when inflating the tires. In the chronicle of clever ideas, we also come across various playful experiments with which the creators of Škoda cars wanted to provide solutions for different situations. However, not all of them caught on. In 1935, for example, there was an attempt to build a unique snow car. Engineers equipped the Popular model with skis on the front wheels and chains on the rear. Thus equipped, the Popular was supposed to facilitate the supply of mountain huts.