Skoda Reveals VisionD Design Study and Brand New Logo

Making its world premiere at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show is the Skoda VisionD, a concept model that previews the brand's new design direction and is the first vehicle to wear Skoda's new logo.

The VisionD concept car takes the form of a sharp-looking five-door hatchback. Skoda claims the long wheelbase and short overhangs allow for above-average interior space, while the dynamic roof line offers the car a “high degree of visual majesty”. The fluent integration of the tailgate into the car's overall line and the absence of a third latteral glass give the hatchback a dynamic appearance.

The front is dominated by a larger and sharp-edged grille interrupted in the middle upper part by Skoda's new logo, which according to the company, “stands out in the middle of the car as the starting point for all the contours”. The headlights and fog lights have thin, rectangular shapes, while the high-placed taillights are trapezoidal and cover well the rear flanks.

The Skoda design study has a modern interior, with a center console dominated by a large touchscreen, simple cylindrical-shaped controls for the climate system and a complex instrument panel, with two large round-shaped displays. The shape of the gear lever also stands out.

More details on the car are to follow after the its official premiere in Geneva on March 1.

As for the new logo, the most important change to the brand's symbol affects the winged arrow, which becomes much larger and more visible than before. The color has also changed, from “natural green” to the new “ŠKODA Green”, while the contour has adopted a chrome look.

“We are keen to express the new power of our brand not only through our future products, but also in the way we present ourselves to partners and customers," stressed Jürgen Stackmann, the Board Member responsible for marketing and sales.

"Škoda is synonymous with attractive cars offering exceptional value for money, countless clever solutions and precisely executed work. All this is clearly reflected by our updated corporate design. As it forges ahead, Škoda is eager to flex its newfound strength in the international arena. Škoda is steadily evolving and it shows. Our new design and fresh outlook reflect our plans for the future.”

By Dan Mihalascu

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Skoda Confirms All-New Concept Car for the Geneva Motor Show

The presentation of an as-of-yet unnamed concept model will be the highlight of Skoda's Geneva Motor Show booth. For now, the Czech automaker is keeping the name and photos of the car to itself, but the company said that the study will reflect the brand's new design language that will be applied in the next generation of models.

In addition to the concept car, Skoda will also usher in its new corporate logo. "The traditional winged-arrow logo features a new spectrum of colours to look even more distinct and precise than ever before," the company said in a statement. Skoda noted that the new logo will be adopted across all communications, as well as dealers, adding that the design and layout of showrooms are also going to be "substantially modernized too".

The VW Group subsidiary said that the new concept model and logo design come after the company reported its best–ever sales result in 2010 delivering 762,000 vehicles, which represents an increase of 11.5% over 2009 when it sold 684,200 units. Skoda's next ambitious goal is to at least double its sales by 2018.