Skoda has unveiled a new electric motorcycle concept, paying tribute to a design over 125 years old. Called the Slavia B, the minimalist e-bike is inspired by a two-wheeled model first built in 1899 by Laurin & Klementโthe Czech company that would eventually become Skoda.
This tribute marks more than nostalgia. It’s a reminder of how two-wheeled mobility, once a symbol of innovation in the 19th century, is again at the forefront of sustainable design in the 21st. The new Slavia B blends heritage craftsmanship with modern electric minimalism, presenting a vision for urban mobility thatโs both functional and poetic.
Designed in-house by Romain Bucaille, a lead exterior designer for Skoda, the Slavia B emerged from pencil sketches rather than digital renderings. โIt had been a while since Iโd drawn a motorcycle,โ Bucaille said, calling the project a โfuturistic cafรฉ racer in Modern Solid style.โ
A standout feature of the concept is whatโs not there: the engine. In its place is open space, a deliberate nod to the minimalist ethos and a departure from traditional combustion forms. A vintage-style leather tool bag, fixed neatly under the seat, honours early 1900s rider Narcis Podsednรญฤek, who famously raced a Slavia B in the 1901 ParisโBerlin event.
While Skoda hasnโt confirmed production plans, the Slavia B reflects the companyโs broader interest in reimagining its heritage through a modern, electric lens. Laurin & Klement, which began as a bicycle manufacturer in 1895 and joined Skoda in 1925, lives on today as a premium trim on Skoda vehicles. This concept bike extends that spiritโblending history with forward-thinking design.
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