Skoda’s design studio has revived one of its rarest classics through a creative after-hours project that looks both backward and forward in time. The Czech automaker’s latest concept imagines how the 1960s-era 1000 MBX might appear today, redesigned with the company’s current “Modern Solid” styling language.
The original 1000 MBX debuted in 1966 as a two-door coupe version of Skoda’s 1000 MB sedan. It featured a rear-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, and a distinctive pillarless profile. Production was limited—just 1,403 units were built before 1969. An even rarer variant, the 1100 MBX, added a bit more power and saw only 1,114 examples produced.
For this digital revival, Skoda designers Antti Savio and David Stingl reimagined the MBX’s silhouette using modern proportions and electric power. The concept keeps the signature boxy shape of the original but adds futuristic touches such as flush panels, rear-hinged half doors, and an absence of traditional B-pillars. Inside, a minimalist cabin features bench-style front seats and fold-up rears, while the oval glass-covered dashboard provides a distinctly retro-futuristic centerpiece.
Although it will never reach production, the all-electric MBX concept represents a playful design exercise for Skoda’s “Icons Get a Makeover” series—a project that has also reinterpreted other historical nameplates, including the 110 R coupe. The reimagined MBX includes imagined high-end features like adjustable air suspension and proportions similar to the last Audi TT, combining nostalgia with modern-day design cues.
While Skoda’s concept exists only in the digital realm, it serves as a bridge between past and future, paying tribute to a little-known piece of the brand’s history. The automaker’s next real-world application of this “Modern Solid” design philosophy will appear on the upcoming Vision O electric wagon, while the revived MBX remains a glimpse into Skoda’s creative spirit and its ability to turn heritage into art.
Via Skoda
