Funky Skoda Joyster Concept Came Out In 2006, Still Looks Fresh Today

Most concept cars never get anywhere near the assembly line, and in many cases that’s a real shame.

Case in hand, the youthful Skoda Joyster study from 2006. It would have made an interesting hatchback for the Czech brand but, unfortunately, it was never intended for production. Designed specifically for the 2006 Paris Motor Show where it made its world debut, the Joyster was described as “a car for life and for the joys offered by life.”

The three-door compact hatchback embodied Skoda’s ideas about what the small car of the future might look like. Furthermore, it shed light on possible paths that could be followed in the development of numerous components and solutions for future production Skodas.

Related: The 2002 Skoda Tudor Concept Was So Cool Someone Actually Stole It

The Joyster’s proportions make it look wider than it actually is, with its sporty look further underscored by the short overhangs, front-shifted sideline along the passenger compartment, robust and widened fenders, as well as big alloys. Its lemon color made no secret of the Joyster’s target audience: dynamic young people. Other striking exterior design elements include the large windows, dark-tinted A pillars, and bold grille flanked by LED headlights.

The panoramic glazed roof covered a cabin with four separate anatomically shaped seats and several storage compartments big enough for a laptop or digital camera. Interestingly, the front seat backs featured removable boxes that could be used as backpacks thanks to their integrated straps.

There was also a special compartment in the middle of the dashboard that could accommodate a thin laptop which could be used to control car features like the audio system and ambient lighting. Another interesting feature is the two-piece tailgate inspired by the Skoda Yeti concept car.

The bottom part folds down in two positions: Level 1 horizontally continues the line of the boot floor, while Level 2 can be tilted slightly back and fixed in place from inside, using just one hand. In this position, the tailgate becomes a bench for two, with a carrying capacity of as much 150 kg (331 lbs). The additional seats and backrests are upholstered as well.

While the Joyster did not preview any particular road-going model, many of its features actually appeared on Skoda vehicles later on. For example, the wheel design was used by the Roomster Scout and Fabia Scout, the sharper grille was used in most production models, and the large panoramic roof appeared on the Rapid Spaceback.