Škoda Favorit Makes a Comeback as Sleek Electric Concept

Electric Heritage - In a world where automotive design constantly evolves to meet new technological and environmental standards, it’s always exciting when a car from the past finds its way into the future with a fresh twist. Nostalgia may drive interest, but it’s innovation that gives it staying power. One such example comes from Škoda, a brand that’s often quietly consistent, yet surprisingly bold when it wants to be. Their latest creation is a loving yet forward-thinking nod to a classic: the Škoda Favorit EV Concept.

The Škoda Favorit EV Concept is reimagined as a modern electric car, blending the original Bertone-designed lines with the brand’s new Modern Solid design language. (Picture from: Autocar)

Originally launched in the late 1980s, the Favorit was Škoda’s compact hatchback designed by none other than Bertone, the Italian design house known for its automotive flair. It stood apart from the crowd with a boxy charm that carried a practical soul. Fast forward to today, and the Favorit is back—but this time as a sleek, all-electric vision of what the car could be in a modern world. This isn't a simple retro revival. It’s a reinterpretation meant to respect its roots while fully embracing the present.

The Škoda Favorit EV Concept features a taller body structure to better accommodate the floor-mounted battery pack, highlighting not just style but function—a key aspect in the evolution of electric vehicles. (Picture from: Autocar)

At the heart of this transformation is Ljudmil Slavov, a designer who poured around 120 hours of his own time into the project. Rather than copy-and-paste vintage elements or rely on nostalgic gimmicks, he focused on capturing the spirit of the original. The idea was clear: maintain the essence of the 1987 model, while giving it the presence and relevance to stand among today’s crossover-heavy market. Slavov emphasized a taller body structure to better accommodate the battery pack in the floor, reflecting not just style but function—a key trait in the evolution of electric vehicles. 

The original Favorit was Škoda’s compact hatchback, designed by none other than Bertone and launched in the late 1980s.. (Picture from: Carrozzieri-Italiani)

Visually, the updated Favorit smartly sidesteps the gloss-black “Tech Deck” face found on some of Škoda's latest models like the Elroq and Enyaq. Instead, Slavov chose to refine the original’s simplicity, elevating its minimalist DNA into something more streamlined and purposeful. From experimenting with different grille designs and headlight shapes to countless sketches and peer reviews, the process was anything but simple. And yet, the result feels effortlessly balanced—modern, but not disconnected from its heritage.

The front three-quarter view of the Škoda Favorit EV Concept in design sketches by Ljudmil Slavov features new grille designs and revised headlight shapes. (Picture from: Autocar)

There are subtle nods throughout the exterior to remind fans of the original. The LED running lights and cleverly hidden main-beam lamps echo the distinct shape of the classic Favorit’s lighting. The illuminated Škoda badging front and rear adds a futuristic glow, while the wheel designs reflect the placeholders traditionally used in design proposals—another quiet nod to the development process itself.

Left side view of the Škoda Favorit EV Concept in design sketches by Ljudmil Slavov, who chose to refine the original’s simplicity, elevating its minimalist DNA into a more streamlined and purposeful form. (Picture from: Autocar)

Even with no clear images of the interior, small but thoughtful touches speak volumes. The headrests, for instance, mimic the open-centred ones found in the original, and the choice of brown leather upholstery hints at the fashion sensibilities of the late '80s, marrying past and present in a way that feels neither forced nor outdated. 

Rear three-quarter view of the Škoda Favorit EV Concept in design sketches by Ljudmil Slavov features subtle nods to the original throughout the exterior, while the illuminated Škoda badging front and rear adds a futuristic glow. (Picture from: Autocar)

But the passion project didn’t stop at the passenger model. Slavov also designed a rally-inspired version, paying tribute to the Favorit’s underappreciated success in the World Rally Championship’s F2 class during the early '90s. With a wider stance, raw plastic bumpers, and a classic livery in white, green, and red, this version channels the spirit of the iconic Favorit 136 L/A, reinforcing that performance and heritage still matter, even in an electric era.

The front three-quarter view of the Škoda Favorit EV Concept, as illustrated in design sketches by Ljudmil Slavov, pays tribute to the Favorit’s underappreciated success in the World Rally Championship’s F2 class during the early ’90s, featuring a wider stance, raw plastic bumpers, and a classic white, green, and red livery. (Picture from: TopGear)

Škoda has explored reimagining other classic models before—like the 1203 van, the Popular Monte Carlo, and the 130RS—but this new Favorit might be the most balanced yet. It's not just about visual throwbacks or tech showcases. It’s about understanding what made the original special and using today’s tools to express that in a new, forward-looking way. 

The rear three-quarter view of the Škoda Favorit EV Concept, depicted in design sketches by Ljudmil Slavov, channels the spirit of the iconic Favorit 136 L/A, underscoring that performance and heritage remain relevant—even in the electric era. (Picture from: TopGear)

This reimagined Škoda Favorit isn’t destined for production—at least not yet—but its existence is a refreshing reminder of how history and innovation can coexist. It’s proof that even a practical hatchback from the past can be reborn as something entirely new, yet still unmistakably itself. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SKODA STORYBOARD | AUTOCAR | CARSCOOPS | TOPGEAR | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.