Skoda Pushing Bold Design Before EV Arrival

Skoda is looking for more emotional styling to help showcase the brand’s values. And they want to do it before they make the transition to electrification.

Skoda’s new design head, Oliver Stefani, spoke with Autocar about the desire for a less utilitarian and bolder look.

“Skoda values have always been functionality, usability, and practicality,” said Stefani. “We’d like to add more emotion.”

The automaker is in the middle of expanding its range. The new Scala replaces the Rapide and launches later this month. An electric car is set to launch next year, followed by more models as the Volkswagen group goes quickly down the EV path.

“You have to think about how the shape of cars will change. All of our cars have to have Skoda’s design DNA, which is really important to show what the brand stands for,” Stefani said, explaining why the company wants the new design language out before the electric cars.

Stefani said that the company wants its design language to have three targets. elegance, comfort, and dynamic. Elegance, Stefani said, doesn’t mean luxury or premium, necessarily, just elegant. Comfort expands on the brand’s reputation for interior space and clever design features.

[source: Autocar]

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