Skoda has given an unexpected effect and has just presented the Slavia B Concepta modern reinterpretation of its first competition motorcycle, nothing less than the Slavia b original from 1899. This gesture, which mixes nostalgia and vision of the future, raises an interesting question, will we see to Skoda Enter the world of two electric wheels?
Yes, although it may seem incredible, one of the first vehicles to compete under the emblem of the Czech brand was not a car, but a motorcycle. Specifically, a simple but brave motorcycle manufactured by Laurin & Klementthe precursor company of Skodaat the dawn of the twentieth century.
This was the original Slavia B
Slavia blaunched in 1899, mounted a modest monocylindrical engine of 240 cc with just 1.5 hp and its maximum speed was around 40 km/h. Today these numbers may seem ridiculous, but in their time it was a machine created with a single objective, compete.
And what if he did. In 1901, the Slavia b He participated in the demanding race between Paris and Berlin, a very hard tour for the time. Your pilot, Narcis couldníčekhe wrote his name in history by becoming the only pilot in his category to finish the test, demonstrating not only the reliability of the motorcycle, but also the pioneering character of the brand.
Now, as we are telling you and to pay tribute to that almost forgotten epic, Skoda He has commissioned some of his star designers, Romain Bucaillethe creation of a contemporary reinterpretation of the original model. And the result is the Slavia B Concepta 100 % electric conceptual motorcycle that mixes classic lines with technical solutions of the 21st century.
Of course, instead of the original combustion engine, under the chassis a battery is housed that feeds an electric propeller (whose specifications have not been detailed by the brand, as it is a non -commercial prototype).
Aesthetically, the motorcycle maintains several winks, as cannot be otherwise, the design of more than 120 years ago. The chassis retains the lower beam drop, a typical trait of the motorcycles of the late nineteenth, and the chosen materials are not casual.
Uro aged for the individual seat and a retro -style saddlebag, located in front and under the armchair, evoke a time when the functionality and style went hand in hand. The belt transmission is not missing, brown instead of the usual black, and with a great teeth on the posterior tire
Romain Bucaillewho usually works in the design of cars, confessed that this project allowed him “Back to the brand’s roots”And reconnect with his passion for motorcycles. Mr. Bucaille commented on this: “It was a very organic process. I started with pencil sketches, looking for the appropriate proportions. I hadn’t drawn a motorcycle for a long time, and it was an almost therapeutic exercise. Drawing on paper allows you to improvise, explore without digital barriers. I wanted the motorcycle to have a soul, not only technology”
At the moment, the Slavia B Concept It is just an exercise of style, a tribute to the past and an expression of creativity. But its mere existence launches a powerful message, Skoda Do not forget its origins and does not rule out alternative paths for your future.
In a context where many car manufacturers are expanding their horizons towards electric mobility in all its forms, it would not be unreasonable to imagine a range of electric motorcycles signed by Skoda.
Is this Slavia Modern the first step towards a new adventure on two wheels? Time will say it. What is clear is that the legacy of Laurin & Klement It is still very alive, and the Slavia B Concept It is proof of this.
