Skoda Slavia B: When the Future Meets 1899

You probably don’t remember the year 1899 — and that’s okay. Even if you’re convinced you were a steam-powered speed demon in a past life, chances are slim you were tearing down cobblestones on a Laurin & Klement motorcycle.

You probably don’t remember the year 1899 — and that’s okay. Even if you’re convinced you were a steam-powered speed demon in a past life, chances are slim you were tearing down cobblestones on a Laurin & Klement motorcycle. But Škoda remembers. And not only remembers — it’s bringing the legend back to life. Not in some mothball-scented retro display, but with such style that Elon Musk is probably quietly weeping in a corner.

Introducing the Škoda Slavia B Cafe Racer Concept — an electric bike of the future, inspired by a motorcycle from 1899. Yes, you heard that right. One hundred and twenty-six years later, this machine is back in the spotlight, now looking like something Bruce Wayne would ride through Gotham at night.

The design comes from Frenchman Romain Bucaille, a guy with an artist’s intuition and an engineer’s backbone. He didn’t just redraw the old bike — he created a manifesto. This isn’t just machinery. It’s a philosophy: respect for the roots, wrapped in Modern Solid style — sharp lines, minimalism, and bold structure.

The classic frame outline remains, but where the engine once sat — there’s nothing. Literally. And it works. In the center, a floating Škoda logo hovers like a hologram on a star cruiser. The seat looks suspended in midair, while a leather tool bag hints at the era when every ride came with a touch of madness and a buffalo-hide helmet.

The headlight? Pure bliss. A narrow, ominously hypnotic blade of light, echoing Škoda’s latest design language. This isn’t just a bike. It’s a transport totem. It looks like it was built in the future, sent back in time, and we’re only just catching up.

But the Slavia B isn’t a solo act. It’s the first in a series where Škoda plans to reimagine its icons. Only this time, on two wheels — sci-fi style, with an electric soul and the attitude of a rock star.