Skoda has given us another taste of its future design language, dubbed ‘Modern Solid’, with a fresh round of Vision 7S sketches.
The hyper-modern SUV design offers booth smooth flowing lines and sharp contours, with distinctive T-shaped headlights and slotted grill lower apron.
The T-shaped headlights have been pushed to the outer edges of the vehicle, as have the lesser curved taillights, and at both ends the LED light strips follow the body lines onto the front and rear quarters.
Aerodynamics are clearly a focus, with enormous slippery wheels and sloping roofline, although it is unknown whether the front and rear vertically arranged slotted grills play a part.
On that note, the Vision 7S has unique vertically arranged air inlet with one central orange insert both front and back. The air inlets meet sloping aluminium underbody guards at both ends, offering a striking diffuser-esque visual effect.
Above the air inlets is a larger, flatter grille that is completely closed – which may explain those air inlets for suspected cooling purposes…
Skoda’s official release says the new design language “reflects familiar brand values, such as robustness, functionality and authenticity”, but uses sustainable materials with a focus on interior space.
The initial images last month gave us a look at the interior of the Vision 7S concept, which is built around a three-row, seven-seater layout.
A central free-standing touchscreen, oriented vertically, sits next to the unique oval steering wheel design, flat on the top and bottom. A flat minimalistic dashboard completes the front of the cabin.
The interior offers a customisable interaction environment for occupants, with features like smart phone docks and, most interestingly, a unique baby seat station in the centre of the cabin.
Skoda’s Modern Solid design language falls under its Next Level – Skoda Strategy 2030, which is centred around environmental protection and meaningful innovation.
“Our new Next Level strategy and the overall transformation demands a comprehensive design overhaul, not only with regard to products but also the whole brand,” said Skoda board member for sales and marketing, Martin Jahn.
“This shift represents the most dramatic change for Skoda since it became a part of Volkswagen Group.
“We will newly define our purpose, positioning and customer groups, which will shape our new brand design and design language as well as our communication.”
Whether the Vision 7S shares the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform is unknown, but we should know more following the global unveiling.
The Vision 7S concept car will be revealed to the public on 30 August, giving us a deeper look Skoda’s design shift and a hint at what’s lurking beneath the metal.
Whether we can expect to see this renewed design language in Skoda’s second-generation Kodiaq, is looking likely.