An icon reimagined: the radical Škoda 110 R

What if Škoda’s iconic coupé were reborn in today’s Modern Solid design language? Škoda Auto designers have once again drawn inspiration from the brand’s rich heritage to create modern interpretations of legendary models. Among them is a truly impressive new vision of the 110 R coupé.

25. 9. 2025 Škoda World

The Škoda 110 R is nothing short of an icon. In its day, this elegant coupé became the dream of countless drivers, while also serving as the foundation for numerous racing versions that earned Škoda laurels on some of the world’s most prestigious circuits. Even today, the “Erko” is a prized classic among enthusiasts. One such admirer is Richard Švec, designer and member of the digital modelling team at Škoda Design.

“I’ve always had a passion for elegant cars. I appreciate the blend of clean volumes with simple details, which the 110 R embodies perfectly,” he explains. “What I was also impressed by was this model´s crossover into the world of motorsport. “

His modern interpretation of how the 110 R could look today is anything but retro. “I didn’t want to take the retro route. My aim was to create a completely new form while carefully integrating subtle nods to the character-defining features of the 110 R. I wanted the design to feel as innovative as possible,” Richard says. Capturing the spirit of the original without relying too heavily on the past was no easy task. “Each element had to be treated with care—to avoid slipping into retro territory while still preserving the car’s identity. From the very beginning, it was clear that finding the right balance of proportions and volumetric shaping would be the key,” explains the designer.

Škoda 110 R

The stylish Škoda 110 R coupé was derived from the Škoda 110 sedan and produced between 1970 and 1980 in Kvasiny plant. Like other Škoda models of its era, it featured a rear-mounted engine driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. Power came from an uprated 1,107 cc inline four-cylinder engine delivering 45.6 kW. Thanks to its light weight—just 880 kilograms—and relatively aerodynamic design, it reached a top speed of 145 km/h. The 110 R also became the basis for Škoda’s racing machines, starting with the extreme 200 RS prototype and followed by the highly successful 130 RS special.

In Richard’s vision, the modern 110 R is a car for young drivers who love motorsport yet also want an elegant coupé for everyday use. “The car’s form is strongly defined, leaning more toward geometric precision rather than organic shaping,” he explains. The clean surfaces are contrasted by dark detailing on the front spoiler, side skirts, and rear diffuser. A functional air intake below the rear side window recalls the original model’s engine inlets, and in this electric reinterpretation, it could serve for battery cooling.

This element could also serve a cooling function. Richard’s modern 110 R is an electric vehicle, and even an EV requires a degree of cooling for its batteries and other components. “The absence of a large cooling system allowed me to keep the concept’s shapes and surfaces as clean as possible,” the designer explains.

Hi-tech features

Instead of trying to replicate every characteristic element of the original 110 R, Richard Švec focused on modernizing the very idea of a sporty coupé. His vision therefore incorporates several cutting-edge features. Among them are small cameras replacing traditional side mirrors and concealed headlights „ which are hidden beneath covers that slide open only when needed, “as he explains.

“Lighting is one of the features that reveals a car’s era. Reinterpreting the round headlights and rectangular tail lamps would have pushed the design too far into retro territory,” he explains. Instead, he introduced elements entirely new to Škoda, such as the Tech-loop lighting signature that has just been introduced to the world by the Škoda Vision O concept.

At the front, all necessary sensors and vertical LED daytime running lights are integrated into a contrasting black panel, alongside an illuminated Škoda logo. At the rear, the standalone illuminated logo becomes the distinctive centrepiece of the tail panel. The modern logo also appears on the aerodynamic wheel covers and even in the rear windows.

Richard created his modern vision of the legendary model using traditional methods. He sketched the basic proportions and shapes on paper, then fine-tuned the whole design digitally on a computer, where he also created a 3D model of the car. This adds realism to the whole vision. “The 110 R is close to my heart, especially because of its heritage in motorsport,” says Richard, commenting on the creative process. Thanks to his passion, this modern 110 R coupé has a soul, just like the original car did.

Richard Švec

“I come from a family where Sundays were reserved for Formula 1 watching, and cars were always part of our lives,” recalls Richard Švec of his earliest automotive inspirations. He began drawing cars as a child and never stopped. In high school, he focused on product design before studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, specifically in the Department of Design in Bratislava, specializing in transport design. During his studies, he gained invaluable experience with an internship at Italdesign in Turin. “That opportunity meant a lot to me and gave me a wealth of knowledge,” he says. After completing his studies, he joined Škoda Auto in 2023 as a designer and digital modeller, and the following year became part of the digital modelling team in the Škoda Design department.