Skoda unveils Slavia B, an electric tribute to its 1899 motorcycle legacy

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 & Klement—the 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 that’s 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. “It had been a while since I’d drawn a motorcycle,” Bucaille said, calling the project a “futuristic café racer in Modern Solid style.”

A standout feature of the concept is what’s 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 Podsedníček, who famously raced a Slavia B in the 1901 Paris–Berlin event.

While Skoda hasn’t confirmed production plans, the Slavia B reflects the company’s 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 spirit—blending history with forward-thinking design.

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