Škoda Vision O: Electric Estate Concept With AI and Range
Fully prepared for the electrified future of Škoda’s estate cars, the Škoda Vision O makes a bold statement that showcases the next generation of the brand’s Modern Solid design language. Škoda develops this first inside-out concept around real customer needs, then shapes the exterior to match. The minimalist interior incorporates innovative technology for enhanced comfort and usability, featuring advanced autonomous driving features, intelligent AI solutions, and a clear focus on sustainability through the use of renewable materials and principles of the circular economy. From the outside, the evolved Modern Solid design creates a more assertive stance with a completely new Tech-loop face mask, while the clean surfaces and optimised aerodynamics improve efficiency for a more extended range. Škoda plans to produce a vehicle based on a future Volkswagen Group platform in the next decade.
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, has stated: "At Škoda, our commitment to our customers - who have trusted us as leaders in the estate segment since 2016 - drives us to deliver the Vision O: a blend of innovative design, over 650 Litres of luggage space, autonomous driving capabilities, and an intuitive AI assistant. This vehicle transforms every journey into an effortless, empowering experience while advancing our sustainability goals and elevating our 'modern solid' design principles.”
Building on its long leadership in Europe’s estate segment, Škoda presents a forward-looking electric estate vision infused with its next-gen Modern Solid design. Vision O embodies a customer-first approach, developed entirely from the perspectives of the driver and passenger. The design remains bold, authentic, and practical, elevating the user experience with AI-enabled features and a functional, future-ready interior. Škoda takes a holistic view that connects user interface, interior, exterior, connectivity and sound to deliver a multi-sensory experience that enhances comfort and driving pleasure.
The cabin introduces a new interior concept that champions practicality, simplicity, and space, with a luggage capacity exceeding 650 litres. A redesigned, easy-to-navigate, customer-centric HMI architecture adds a customisable Horizon Display for both front occupants. With new AI features, Laura becomes a personal assistant who guides passengers by sharing helpful information about the surroundings. New Škoda Bio-Adaptive Lighting automatically adjusts ambient light to natural cycles, creating a comfortable environment. Staying true to Simply Clever thinking, Vision O adds neat touches, including a portable speaker and a fully integrated fridge.
Škoda puts sustainability at the centre of Vision O. The name reflects circularity and a commitment to design, produce, use and recycle the car in ways that minimise environmental impact across its lifecycle. Vision O shows how circular, plant-based materials can deliver quality and aesthetics. Škoda extends its commitment to sustainability by pursuing waste-free production and the reuse of by-products, which are then recycled and repurposed for new applications.
The exterior uses clean, simple lines that support maximum efficiency through optimised aerodynamics, helping extend range on longer journeys. The evolution of the Modern Solid design language gives the car a more robust look with the new Tech-loop face mask. Vision O also offers advanced autonomous driving technology that can manage all driving tasks under specific conditions.
Mladá Boleslav, 8 September 2025. Škoda developed Vision O from the inside out to ensure that every interior element meets high standards for comfort, usability, and seamless tech integration, before shaping the exterior. This approach prioritises the driver and passengers, resulting in a harmonious, intuitive, and functional design that aligns with the exterior. The new interior architecture features a fresh HMI layout with the customisable Škoda Horizon Display, which spans the full width of the dashboard for both front passengers, complemented by a vertically oriented central screen. The symmetrical, minimalist design uses a centre panel with an intuitive dial that provides haptic feedback for precise control. The new Škoda Bio-Adaptive Lighting enhances the serene and sophisticated atmosphere inside the cabin.
Oliver Stefani, Head of Design, has stated: “We designed the Vision O from the inside out - we built our car on customer experiences. The main experience for us is the simplicity. Today we live in a world of noise and complexity, and Vision O brings us back clarity and calmness in design and functionality. It is the next level of our Modern Solid design philosophy.”
A monochromatic aesthetic emphasises the cockpit layout and frames interactions with the car for clarity and ease of use. Highlights include the Škoda Horizon Display, which provides optimal visibility and intuitive interaction. Bio-Adaptive Lighting adjusts cabin tones to natural light cycles, supporting human biorhythms and creating a powerful, human-centred experience. Paired with the inviting achromatic colour scheme, it sets a relaxing environment that neatly frames HMI interactions. The near-achromatic colour concept features darker taupe front seats, which create a natural asymmetry that aligns with the bio-adaptive illumination and digital screen colours, delivering a calm and straightforward look.
The horizontal Horizon Display spans more than 1.2 metres across the dashboard, allowing drivers to view essential information directly in their line of sight and perceive data more easily. This wide layout increases the sense of space and openness. Information is logically grouped for quick access, reducing distractions. The vertical central screen lets users switch between layers of information and customise what appears on the Horizon Display. An infodimming feature enables the dynamic adjustment of the amount of information displayed, promoting safer and more focused driving. Drivers can control displays via touch controls integrated into the dashboard or by using the central dial for quick adjustments.
An intuitive control concept supports ease of use and safety. Steering wheel controls provide quick access to key functions, including volume, radio, phone, and cruise control. Responsive touch interfaces on the dashboard streamline menu navigation and settings. Voice control further enhances safety by enabling hands-free, in-vehicle commands. This balanced blend of haptic, tactile, and voice inputs creates a smooth and secure interaction with the vehicle.
As you would expect from Škoda, the Vision O delivers a luggage capacity of more than 650 litres, or over 1,700 litres with the seats folded. Clever additions include a portable Bluetooth speaker, a fully integrated fridge, four umbrellas for passengers, a screen cleaner, and dedicated storage for charging cables in the boot. Practical magnetic wireless charging pods in the centre console make phone charging convenient for all occupants.
Circularity guides the material choices. Seat covers are made from 100% recycled PES flat-knit material, custom-knitted to the seat shape with functional decorative elements. The bespoke headrest utilises Ultrasint TPU, a flexible, durable, and recyclable mono-material produced through zero-waste manufacturing. Ultrasuede NU, used on larger interior parts and seats, features a transparent effect coating that creates a subtle shimmer and contains 65% plant-based content. Nabore recycled leather flooring, made from post-production leather scraps, adds another circular material to the concept.
Vision O integrates advanced technology for safety and convenience, including autonomous driving and a versatile Tranquil mode that enhances passenger comfort. With new AI features, Laura becomes a personal assistant who shares helpful information about the surroundings or takes meeting notes. Škoda also outlines a future mobile ecosystem with the Vision O app, designed to act as a daily assistant beyond the car. With the upcoming MyŠkoda app update, customers will gain AI route planning built with Google Gemini.
Advanced autonomous capability can manage all driving tasks independently except in challenging conditions such as heavy rain or reduced visibility, and it can still steer the car safely off the road if needed. Tranquil mode adjusts the seating layout for extra space or comfort and tunes the ambient lighting to the chosen setting. Seats slide back to reveal additional room for a relaxing in-car experience, with favourite music, customised lighting and reduced screen content.
The AI digital assistant serves as a faithful companion to every occupant. Integrated with all assistance and comfort features, Laura guides users through content and proposes routes based on the current driving situation and passenger mood. Laura helps with everyday tasks, such as taking meeting notes, planning dinner, and discussing local points of interest. A storytelling mode generates tales on demand for passengers of all ages. Laura also powers the Vision O app, creating an everyday assistant that proactively enriches life beyond vehicle functions for a seamless, intelligent and user-centric mobility experience.
Škoda’s Vision O app previews a future mobile ecosystem that complements the concept car. An AI-powered Loading Assistant helps drivers prepare the storage space remotely for large or bulky items. The app expands personalisation with remote functions, such as full-window tinting for maximum privacy, and options to customise the Horizon Screen to individual needs.
In the coming weeks, Škoda plans to enhance route planning in the MyŠkoda app with version 8.5, introducing a brilliant route planner built with Google Gemini. Laura will use AI to add charging stops, petrol stations, restaurants or shopping centres based on user preferences. The app already offers remote vehicle access and intelligent route planning, further strengthening the user-centric digital experience.
Škoda applies circular economy principles to production. Vision O prioritises recyclability with a mono-material interior that simplifies end-of-life processing. The approach integrates leather waste and plant-based components without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Recycled materials come from multiple sources, including post-production waste and recycled components. For example, Rec PES primarily uses plastic bottles that are collected, cleaned, shredded, and melted into yarns, which are then woven into fabric, thereby reducing waste and the demand for virgin raw materials.
Karsten Schnake, Member of the Board of Management for Procurement, stated: "For Škoda, it is a clear target to use recyclable materials and environmentally friendly products as much as possible. Using recycled and recyclable materials in the Vision O is important, and it’s part of a wider effort. We carefully consider how components are sourced, manufactured, packaged, and transported, as well as the working conditions of our people and the impact on nd the environment. This is central to responsible supply-chain management – it’s about the materials we buy and how they’re made and moved. With the Vision O, we’ve worked on building a closed-loop system that minimises environmental impact.”
Škoda reimagines the headrest with a 3D-printed mono-material design that balances function, comfort and style. Ultrasint TPU offers flexibility, durability, and recyclability through zero-waste production. By consolidating components into a single material, Škoda meets stringent targets for comfort and durability. The honeycomb structure opens gradually from a solid base to an airy top that responds to pressure like a pillow.
Seat materials are tailor-made for Vision O’s unique seat shape. The design team created a flat knit with varied structures in a single piece for optimal fit, high durability and support across different seating configurations. Circular thinking drives the use of 100% recycled polyester and a mono-material approach.
Large interior areas, such as the centre console, armrests, dashboard, and steering wheel, utilise Ultrasuede NU with 65% plant-based content and a transparent coating featuring mica pearl pigments for a subtle colour shift. The entire furniture utilises NABORE, a material made from upcycled leather waste, transforming production scraps into a durable and attractive feature.
On the outside, Vision O advances Škoda’s Modern Solid design language with simple shapes and distinctive lines. The minimalist form incorporates aerodynamically optimised features, including cooling vents and bonnet ventilation, to enhance efficiency and range. The wide, robust front carries an illuminated Škoda logo on the curved bonnet. The Tech-loop lighting element frames the front, complementing the bold bonnet and underscoring the clean, authentic look. A panoramic roof increases the sense of space, and the B-pillar now incorporates the Škoda hook symbol. Charging ports on both sides can power external devices, while hidden windscreen wipers, located under a movable cover, preserve the sleek profile.
Johannes Neft, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, has stated: "With the Vision O, form follows function. Active cooling and bonnet ventilation enhance aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in a longer range and reduced environmental impact. The lighting concept creates a clear identity, with Škoda Cyber Lights working in conjunction with the Tech-Loop face to establish a distinctive visual signature. The production model will be based on a future Volkswagen Group platform planned for the next decade, with development prioritising efficiency, sustainability, robustness, and a smaller environmental footprint."
The body measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, creating a spacious and aerodynamic profile. Aero development targets maximum efficiency. Front louvres act as active jalousie, side channels divert excess air to the wheels, and aerodynamically optimised wheel designs enhance dynamic performance. Retractable door handles improve airflow, and two ventilation openings in the bonnet reduce drag and divert rainwater from the windscreen.
A new lighting concept supports autonomous driving. At the rear, a T-shaped LED motif with animated indicators references Modern Solid and pairs with an illuminated Škoda logo, the Vision O script, and a continuous light band that visually connects to the Tech-loop at the front. Škoda Cyber Lights at the front create a fresh signature. Sliding main headlamps appear in welcome and goodbye animations alongside the illuminated bonnet logo. Animated indicators in the headlights, wings, and mirrors also function as signal lights during autonomous driving. When the vehicle switches to autonomous mode, the lighting changes to a distinct pattern to inform other road users, and the Tech-loop lights up in a special sequence and colour scheme.
The side view features a distinctive B-pillar that highlights generous space for passengers and luggage. This element integrates a trapezoidal detail inspired by the hook in the Škoda wordmark to create a striking, airy feel. The C-pillar and tinted windows visually extend the cabin. The body colour shifts from warm to cool through transparent interference pigments with mica pearl that refract daylight for a subtle rainbow effect. Black accents, tinted glazing and black aerodynamic wheels with robust rims contribute to the elegant look, and a black roof completes the composition.
Škoda has led the European estate segment since 2016 and intends to reinforce its position with the production model inspired by Vision O. Success in the segment has been driven by the Octavia Estate and Superb Estate, which together have accounted for more than 3.6 million units since 1998. Early predecessors include the L&K 110 and the Škoda 1101 Tudor Station Wagon, which helped establish the brand’s estate heritage.
Martin Jahn, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing, stated: "Škoda has led Europe’s estate segment since 2016 because the Octavia Estate and Superb Estate make everyday life of our customers easier. The Vision O builds upon this legacy, representing not just a continuation of our success but a bold step into the future of electrified estates. It underscores our commitment to provide customers with the practicality, versatility, and innovation they expect from Škoda, while also embracing sustainability."
The Octavia nameplate debuted in 1959, followed by a station wagon version in 1960. The modern Octavia Estate, in production since 1998, has become the brand’s best-selling estate with more than 3 million built. Continuous innovation with each generation has sustained its leadership, and the wider Octavia series remains its best-selling model, with more than 7.5 million units sold since its introduction in 1996, thanks to its reliability, safety, and comfort.
The Superb name dates back almost 90 years to 1934, when Škoda introduced an innovative flagship. Since 2001, the modern Superb has served as the brand’s halo model with over 1.6 million sold. The prestigious Superb Estate arrived in 2008 and is now in its third generation, offering up to 690 litres of luggage capacity, as well as all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid versions with an electric range of approximately 75 miles, or 120 kilometres. It combines practicality with sophisticated design, making it a favourite for families and executives alike.
