Skoda 1000 MBX Concept Unveiled: A Stunning Electric Revival of a Czech Icon

The Skoda 1000 MBX Concept brings one of the Czech automaker's rarest models into the electric age, pairing retro proportions with a flat-floor EV platform and modern practicality.

The result is a design study that nods to 1960s elegance while pointing clearly toward Skoda's future.

A rare classic, revisited

The original Skoda 1000 MBX debuted in 1966 as a coupe derivative of the 1000 MB saloon, the marque's first mass-production car to use unibody construction.

Its earliest powertrain was a 988cc engine producing 42 bhp; a larger 1,107cc unit followed in 1968 for the 1100 MBX, rated at 52 bhp. With just 2,517 units built in total, the MBX remains one of Skoda's rarest production models.

That scarcity and clear visual identity make the MBX an ideal candidate for a retro-inspired concept. Skoda's designers have embraced that history but refused to slavishly replicate it — instead translating key cues into a contemporary electric coupé.

Modern Solid design: heritage translated

Under Skoda's new Modern Solid design philosophy, the 1000 MBX Concept blends minimal, robust surfaces with careful detailing. Signature details — raised headlamps that sit above the bonnet line, a crisp crease along the flanks, and the original's distinctive C-pillar treatment — have been reinterpreted rather than copied.

Crucially, the concept rides on a flat-floor electric platform, which reclaims interior space compared with the original rear-engined layout. The result is a car that looks compact and poised, yet offers a modern, flexible cabin layout that would be difficult to achieve on the 1960s architecture.

Interior: simple, clever, and flexible

Inside, the concept is a study in progressive minimalism. A glass dashboard is a projection surface for instrument graphics, including references to the original MBX cluster.

There is deliberately no central console, echoing the open feel of the classic coupe.

David Stingl, who led the cabin design, sums up the intent plainly:

"Our MBX concept is a 2+2 coupé that can easily transform into a two-seater with remarkable cargo capacity. It's not meant to be just a fun weekend coupé or a second car in the family, but a vehicle with exceptional everyday usability."

Practical touches include individual cinema-style tip-up rear seats that fold to expand luggage space, and rear-hinged doors that improve access to those rear seats — a useful detail on a car with a compact footprint. An air-sprung setup promises a composed ride, reinforcing the concept's dual remit of comfort and sportiness.

Styling intent: sportiness with charm

Antti Savio, responsible for the exterior, describes the concept's character as intentionally less aggressive than many modern sports cars.

"Our concept is sportier overall, yet still has a friendly look... those from the '60s and '70s carried a certain elegance, even endearing charm — and that's what I wanted to preserve,"

he said.

The MBX Concept captures that balance: it reads as athletic when you study its proportions, but its detailing — the elevated headlamps, the soft flanks, and the measured wheel arches — keeps the expression approachable rather than combative. This approach shares design DNA with other retro-inspired electric concepts that blend heritage with modern technology.

What it means for Skoda and EV design

Beyond the visuals, the MBX concept is a message. It shows that Skoda's Modern Solid language can mine brand heritage to add emotional value to electric vehicles. Rather than treating EVs as merely technical objects, this approach tries to restore the character many enthusiasts miss in modern cars.

Reportedly, the concept came together in just three to four weeks, a rapid cadence that underlines how quickly modern design teams can explore retro-future permutations. While Skoda has not announced production intentions, the concept functions as a clear signpost: future Skoda EVs may place greater emphasis on personality and everyday usability.

Conclusion: a respectful reinvention

The Skoda 1000 MBX Concept is neither a museum piece nor a mere pastiche.

It's a thoughtful reinvention that preserves defining elements of the original while solving the practical compromises of its era with modern electric architecture.

If Skoda translates this philosophy into a production car, it could offer a welcome, characterful alternative in an EV market dominated by lookalike designs — joining other heritage-inspired concepts like the Škoda L&K 130 in showcasing the brand's innovative design direction.