Geneva 2011: Skoda’s Vision of its Design Future

Skoda seems to be shedding its old style language for a new bolder corporate design direction. The aim is to highlight Skoda's green line up while differentiating the brand from others in the Volkswagen group. The VisionD is the first such concept car under this new design direction, the overall effect is a simple, clean design that is to feature in all future Skoda cars.

The VisionD is quite a pretty car. The design is unobtrusive and taut. Compared to other family hatchbacks on sale in Europe, the the Czech automaker’s concept emulates a class and sophistication usually seen in more premium vehicles. The most prominent feature of the car's design is the sharper more dominant grill, one that again would not look out of place on a car two classes larger.

The main focal point of the grill is the all new emblem. The new Skoda logo and script are part of the new brand rejuvenation. As previously reported, the logo leaves behind the natural green hue for the all new "ŠKODA Green" with a chrome contour. The objective of the new design language and logo is to highlight Skoda's growing strengths internationally.

By Rory Farrell

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Skoda Reveals VisionD Design Study and Brand New Logo

Making its world premiere at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show is the Skoda VisionD, a concept model that previews the brand's new design direction and is the first vehicle to wear Skoda's new logo.

The VisionD concept car takes the form of a sharp-looking five-door hatchback. Skoda claims the long wheelbase and short overhangs allow for above-average interior space, while the dynamic roof line offers the car a “high degree of visual majesty”. The fluent integration of the tailgate into the car's overall line and the absence of a third latteral glass give the hatchback a dynamic appearance.

The front is dominated by a larger and sharp-edged grille interrupted in the middle upper part by Skoda's new logo, which according to the company, “stands out in the middle of the car as the starting point for all the contours”. The headlights and fog lights have thin, rectangular shapes, while the high-placed taillights are trapezoidal and cover well the rear flanks.

The Skoda design study has a modern interior, with a center console dominated by a large touchscreen, simple cylindrical-shaped controls for the climate system and a complex instrument panel, with two large round-shaped displays. The shape of the gear lever also stands out.

More details on the car are to follow after the its official premiere in Geneva on March 1.

As for the new logo, the most important change to the brand's symbol affects the winged arrow, which becomes much larger and more visible than before. The color has also changed, from “natural green” to the new “ŠKODA Green”, while the contour has adopted a chrome look.

“We are keen to express the new power of our brand not only through our future products, but also in the way we present ourselves to partners and customers," stressed Jürgen Stackmann, the Board Member responsible for marketing and sales.

"Škoda is synonymous with attractive cars offering exceptional value for money, countless clever solutions and precisely executed work. All this is clearly reflected by our updated corporate design. As it forges ahead, Škoda is eager to flex its newfound strength in the international arena. Škoda is steadily evolving and it shows. Our new design and fresh outlook reflect our plans for the future.”

By Dan Mihalascu

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