Design concept and new corporate design

[kino]

2/28/2011

Under the slogan “The New Power of Škoda”, Škoda Auto presented its new corporate design at this year's Volkswagen Group Evening.

The event also saw a design concept that shows the brand's new direction towards extending its model portfolio and intensifying its activity in Europe, as well as in China, India and Russia.

The manufacturer presented a very special facelift at the event: for the fist time ever, Škoda is presenting the key elements of its new corporate design whose distinguishing features are freshness and precision. As its established characteristics evolve, Škoda has undergone visual rejuvenation to make it an outwardly even more valued brand.

“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. 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,” stressed Jürgen Stackmann, the Board Member responsible for marketing and sales. “Škoda is steadily evolving and it shows. Our new design and fresh outlook reflect our plans for the future.”

The most important change affects the main part of the logo, the winged arrow, which in the new design will be much larger and more visible. The hue of the winged arrow has been changed from “natural green” to the new lush “ŠKODA Green”. The outer area is highlighted with a chrome look.

By unveiling a design concept, Škoda is offering a glimpse into the future. The economic goals set by the carmaker require a new focus drawing on the inspiration of a tradition stretching back for more than 110 years. The use of modern stylistic elements and the latest technology is a logical step. The design concept fleshes out the contours of the growth strategy with clearly defined features, maximum care and attention to detail.

The design concept singles out characteristic design elements of the ŠKODA brand and guides them towards the future. The long wheelbase and short overhangs are a prerequisite for successful automotive architecture as they both allow for above-average interior space and, coupled with the dynamic roof line, lend the car a high degree of visual majesty. The fluent integration of the tailgate underscores the entire car’s sophisticated practicality. The high everyday utility value and distinctive interior modular design are traditional brand values which are freshly interpreted in a more modern form here. The radiator grille with its unobtrusively shiny finish symbolizes the brand’s aesthetic blueprint, its fine slats resembling taut harp strings.

The newly arranged and clearly structured logo stands out in the middle of the car as the starting point for all the contours. It intersects the horizontal line of the bonnet, highlighting its special status as a symbol of quality and success.

The design concept marks another big step into the future for ŠKODA. Its forms shapes are dynamic, stimulating the imagination of observers without provoking them, and offering an undistorted view of the outlook for cars made in Mladá Boleslav. The designers and engineers have paved the way for future success. This traditional Czech brand is now best placed to achieve its ambitious goals: economic growth coupled with new design full of potential, while preserving established traditional strengths such as great performance, value and precision.

http://www.skoda-auto.com/COM/about/info/news/geneva_2011/News/Pages/2011_20_geneva_3.aspx

Edited 28 February, 2011 by kino

[RapidRonnie]

The design study is really nice. If you add a boot then it is said to resemble the new car to sit between the Fabia & Octavia.

[kino]

More pics over at http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorshows/geneva-motor-show/264913/skoda_shows_vision_d_design_concept.html

[RapidRonnie]

And more here: http://www.skoda-auto.com/COM/events/geneva_2011/TabStrips/Pages/geneva_2011_news_3.aspx

[RapidRonnie]

Some real life photos of the "Vision D": http://www.auto.cz/skoda-vision-d-prvni-dojmy-54851

[lfc958]

If you take the Skoda badges off, it could be a Merc - Shame really as I personally dont like euroboxes.

A brand should be unique, Ok a corporate badge / grille, but when the rest of the car looks like another brand it puts me off , as it implies no imagination, hate to say this but this is where the french car designers are way ahead of other manufacturers.

[FTM]

I like it a lot, from the flip up spoiler to the glass roof, give me a decent engine and I will order one tomorrow!

[Skodaboy1983]

Very nice I like that a lot.

Davy

[RapidRonnie]

Couple more pics... if Skoda make this it could almost make up for not making the Tudor and Joyster!

[Leonidas]

Very nice..

[Mute]

Just noticed they've launched a new website too? Looks nice, same content under the covers though. Easier to navigate though.

Is "Simply Clever" a new slogan or have i just not been paying attention? I thought it was "Manufacturer of Happy Drivers" was their tag line.

[RapidRonnie]

Just noticed they've launched a new website too? Looks nice, same content under the covers though. Easier to navigate though.

Is "Simply Clever" a new slogan or have i just not been paying attention? I thought it was "Manufacturer of Happy Drivers" was their tag line.

'Simply Clever' has been the international tagline for a while but Skoda UK had previously gone their own way. Glad to see Skoda UK coming into line!

[Mute]

Glad to see Skoda UK coming into line!

Now, about those folding door mirrors on the Vrs spec in the UK Mr Skoda UK...

[RapidRonnie]

Now, about those folding door mirrors on the Vrs spec in the UK Mr Skoda UK...

Yeeessss, lol. One can only hope that Skoda UK adopting the new branding will also reflect in the options available right across the Skoda range, there are all sorts of examples - not just the folding mirrors!