Skoda Slavia Concept Is How Apprentices Turn A Mundane Hatch Into Something Actually Cool

Skoda apprentices have managed to build a much more exciting Scala model than the five-door hatchback featured in dealerships across Europe.

It’s called the Skoda Slavia and it is only a concept car, meaning you won’t be able to buy one. That’s unfortunate, because the Skoda vocational school’s students did a really good job of transforming the mundane hatch into an exciting spider version.

Taking inspiration from the 1957 Skoda 1100 OHC open-top two-seater race car, the Slavia also marks the 125th anniversary of the company’s founding. Designed by 31 trainees attending the carmaker’s vocational school, the seventh Skoda Student Concept Car since 2014 is a bridge between the past and the present.

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Named after the first bicycles produced by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement after they founded the company in 1895, the open-top Skoda Slavia has been fully designed and built by students, from the first draft to the final assembly.

As you can see, from the front end to the A-pillars, the Slavia looks identical with the Scala production model. However, things are very different from the A-pillars to the rear, with the spider concept featuring two doors instead of four, no roof, and a long special cover with hallmark twin speedster humps behind the seats which blends into a new boot lid featuring an integrated rear spoiler.

Transforming the Scala into an open-top two-seater required a lot of modifications, including reinforcing the underbody, welding the rear doors in place, redesigning the underfloor area to accommodate a modified exhaust system, as well as developing or sourcing new parts. The 20-inch wheels, for example, are taken from the Skoda Kodiaq RS, while the brake system and wheel hubs come from the Octavia vRS.

The show car is painted in a White Crystal Blue color that contrasts with the black detailing on the aprons and side sills and is emphasized by neon blue accents. Using programmable LEDs placed below the side sills and behind the alloys, the Slavia benefits from dynamic exterior ambient lighting in the colors of the Czech flag: blue, red and white.

Carry-overs from the production model include the 150 PS (148 HP) 1.5-liter TSI engine and seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, front and rear axles, steering, the complete electronics including cabling, as well as the assistance systems.

Inside, the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel and infotainment system have also remained unchanged. Speaking of the interior, it features sporty highlights such as the Sparco racing seats with four-point harness, perforated leather, black carbon leather and white contrast stitching. A number of black and white leather surfaces are also present.

An eye-catching detail is the black leather parcel shelf featuring two embroidered lions that house two sunken bass speakers. The subwoofer has an output of 2,250 watts, with the remaining speakers adding another 320 watts. Inside the Slavia’s boot there’s also room for two Skoda electric scooters.