Škoda is celebrating its 130th anniversary in an unbeatable setting and with an agenda packed with milestones that transcend the purely symbolic. From a commemorative event in Madrid to sporting events and a prominent presence at the Tour de FranceThe Czech brand is taking advantage of the anniversary to strengthen its legacy while also accelerating toward an electric future.
These celebrations feature nods to its history, international exhibitions, and the occasional commercial blockbuster that has made waves among fans. The new Škoda Fabia 130, the production of the Epiq in Spain, and the 130 RS commemoration are just the tip of the iceberg of a birthday that Škoda has decided to celebrate in style.
From bicycles to electric vehicles: a century and a third of evolution
The history of Škoda is written in iconic chapters. From the Voiturette A of the early 20th century to the Skoda 110 of 1925, the aerodynamic 935 Dynamic of 1935 or the 1100 OHC racing machine of 1950, the brand was leaving its mark with products that combined engineering and character.
The seventies brought the 110 R, the company's first coupé, and decades later, Volkswagen's entry opened the door to models that redefined its positioning. Octavia (1996), Karoq (2017) and Enyaq (2020) form a modern backbone which has allowed Škoda to accelerate its electrification with the new Elroq, a model that became the monthly leader in the European electric vehicle market in April with 8.000 units registered, it has been reported.
The focus on businesses is also strategic. In fleets, Škoda closed the last financial year with a 4,8% penetration in Spain and approaching 6% in renting, relying on specific solutions such as the Škoda4Business program to support companies and SMEs in decarbonizing their travel.
In terms of product, the brand boasts its best range in 130 years, with the latest generation of electric and plug-in hybrid models. The Kodiaq and Superb PHEVs are certified for over 120 km in electric mode., while the zero-emission range is reinforced with the Enyaq, Enyaq Coupé and Elroq to respond to increasingly demanding ranges and performance.
Epiq made in Spain: Navarra takes the baton
Spain will be a key player in Škoda's new electric cycle. Plant Volkswagen Navarre will take over production of the Škoda Epiq, a 100% electric urban SUV which will become the brand's first model to be manufactured in Spain.
About the calendar, Planning places the start in 2026, although it has also been reported that production would begin "as early as next year." Beyond the nuances of the schedule, the message is clear: "The Epiq symbolizes the electrification of the range and the industrial commitment to Spain," emphasized Jiménez de Parga.
Škoda Fabia 130: the fastest small car in the history of the range
The brand has gone all out with the Skoda Fabia 130, a special edition that rescues the sporting vein inspired by the Fabia RS Rally2 DNAIt's the most radical utility vehicle in the current range, designed for those seeking character without sacrificing practicality.
The heart of the engine is the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder engine, with figures that vary depending on the source: 130 kW (177 hp) and 250 Nm in the communication of the brand itself, compared to the 174 CVs cited in other publications which highlight the recalibration for a livelier throttle response. In any case, performance is king: the Fabia 130 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,4 seconds and reaches 228 km/h, making it the official Fastest Fabia in history.
Transmission is a 7-speed DSG with dual clutch, tuned for smoother shifting. The Sports suspension lowered by 15 mm —with Monte Carlo chassis specifications—provides poise and precision, and the steering, tuned for greater communication, increases confidence in turns. For those who are tired of the manual, the system allows deactivate traction control (ASR) or activate “ASR Sport” mode, delaying the intervention of the stability control and leaving more room for manoeuvre for the pilot.
The exterior design is uncompromising. The front bumper features a spoiler-like lip that extends to the corners, while the rear adds a gloss black spoiler and a channeled diffuser also in gloss black. The headlights with Full LED technology are darkened, and the rear lights incorporate a smoked sheet (Bi-LED lighting is mentioned in some specifications) with a black vinyl on the back which adds character.
To complete the set, the 18-inch LIBRA wheels They have a smoked finish and reveal red brake calipers that add a sporty touch. The double chrome exhaust outlet completes a convincing look, highlighted by the "130" emblem on the fenders, an explicit homage to the legendary 130 RS. The range includes four body colors: white, blue, red and black.
Inside, the atmosphere replicates the racing approach: bucket seats with integrated headrests, silver inserts on the dashboard and panels, a three-spoke steering wheel, a 9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch central touchscreen. There is no shortage of specific “Fabia 130” threshold strips and adjustable driving modes with an interface that displays real-time data for those who enjoy measuring every detail.
As a good collector's item, we are talking about a Limited EditionThe first deliveries to customers have been scheduled for December; some communications point to December 2025, while others indicate they will begin "this year." The total volume and quotas by country have not been disclosed., and prices will be announced later. The brand, by the way, has even shown an "image gallery" as a preview to whet your appetite.
130 RS: half a century of the myth that cemented the RS badge
To talk about sportiness in Škoda is to talk about the 130 RS. This coupé, introduced in 1975 and developed from the 180 RS and 200 RS, rose to fame just a month after its debut with a top-class result: Third and fourth places in their class at the ETCC in Brno, in the under 2.000 cm³ category. It was the start of a brilliant career.
In rallies, his biggest hit came with the class victory at the 1977 Monte Carlo, finishing 12th overall, and a creditable eighth in the 1979 Acropolis Rally. On the circuit, he was crowned with the overall title of the 1981 European Touring Car Championship, after several seasons consistently reaching the podium.
The recipe? Lightweight and balanced. It featured a rear-mounted, water-cooled, 1,3-liter, four-cylinder OHV engine; Power increased from 113 to 142 hp in track specification. With light alloy panels and fiberglass elements, it weighed just 720 kg on the scales, enough to reach 220km/h topHis agility and frank response under pressure are part of the myth.
The legacy of the 130 RS is remembered this year with a Special exhibition in the prototype and sports car depot of the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav, where three units are on display until April 27. The RS badge —for Rally Sport— was born with it and is still very much alive today in the series range and in competition with the Fabia RS Rally2 in WRC2.
The Tour de France, 22 years with Škoda at the wheel
The 112th edition of the Tour de France—from July 5 to 27—returns to the Champs-Élysées after departing from Lille and crossing the Massif Central, the Pyrenees, the Alps (including Mont Ventoux), and the Jura. There will be 21 stages, 3.339 km and 184 cyclists from 23 teams., with the Col de la Loze as the peak at 2.304 metres.
Škoda repeats as main sponsor for the 22nd consecutive year and deploys up to 225 official vehicles, all electric or plug-in hybrids. Among them are the two legendary "Red Cars" for race director Christian Prudhomme: a Škoda Enyaq and a Superb iV, transformed into mobile command centers with high-level communication technology.
The brand presence is completed with two exhibition cars: the Elroq Respectline, which will go through all the stages as a symbol of respect, diversity and inclusion, and the L&K 130, Škoda’s tenth “Student Car”, designed by students from its Secondary School of Engineering. In addition, Škoda sponsors the green jersey. and designs the trophies for the overall winner, the points leader, the mountain leader, and the best young rider, which this year feature the special logo for the 130th anniversary.
The activation with fans is ambitious. In WeLoveCycling.com Content and raffles with exclusive prizes are published: Seven seats to experience the final stage in Paris in Škoda cars, professional bikes, official green jerseys and a ride with Andy Schleck, winner of the 2010 Tour and Škoda ambassador. Along the way, spectators will be able to visit the Škoda Coffee Car and enjoy the promotional caravanThe brand is also sponsoring the Tour's official app. As Martin Jahn, Head of Sales and Marketing, pointed out, the anniversary redoubles a commitment that, according to figures, connects with millions of fans on the road and up to three billion television viewers worldwide.
Rétromobile Paris: a journey through three centuries of Škoda
The 130th anniversary is also being celebrated at Rétromobile, one of the most influential classic car fairs. At Porte de Versailles, Škoda doubled its space to 500 m² and exhibited 16 vehicles. which trace a journey through three centuries of history before some 130.000 international visitors.
The origins chapter includes the L&K Slavia bicycle (1897) and two historic motorcycles, the L&K BZ (1903) with a 331 cm³ twin-cylinder engine and up to 60 km/h, and the L&K CCR (1905), a reflection of the progress in two-wheeled engineering. Next to it, the brand's first car, the L&K Voiturette A, launched on October 29, 1905, with a 1.100 cm³ twin-cylinder engine and 7 HP to reach almost 40 km/h.
From the twenties to the forties, the Škoda L&K 110 (1929), already in the transition after the merger with Škoda in 1925, the very rare Škoda Popular Sport Coupe (1934) —just 20 units, recently incorporated into the Škoda Museum and ready for restoration—, and the Škoda Rapid OHV (1940), brother of the Popular with an aerodynamic body and a top speed of 110 km/h.
The postwar period brings variety. A Škoda 1201 SW (1958) with service vehicle decoration, the Felicia (1961) —four cylinders of 1.089 cm³ and 50 HP, icon of sixties elegance capable of 130 km/h—, the robust Trekka (1966–1973) Made in New Zealand on an Octavia base, and the unique piece 110 Super Sport “Ferat” (1971), star of the cult Czech film Upír z Feratu.
The contemporary stage is summarized with five names: the Octavia WRC (2002) to underline the motorsport DNA; the Superb Tour de France (2005), which strengthens the association with professional cycling; the Yeti Extreme Concept (2014), high-performance exercise; and, already in the current power line, the Enyaq and the new Elroq, which anticipate where the brand is going.
Škoda Agromobil: an all-terrain rarity
Among the lesser-known chapters is the Škoda Agromobil (Type 998), a 1960s utility 4x4 designed for agricultural, forestry, and military use. Developed in conjunction with the Strakonice company—famous for its weapons and ČZ motorcycles—it passed tests in 1962, but It never reached mass productionThe Czech public discovered him when they saw him in a 1965 film.
As a curiosity, in that same tape also appeared the Škoda 973 Babeta, smaller and with all-wheel drive, manufactured in very limited series in 1952. These projects highlight the breadth of vision and engineering capability from Škoda even when there were no commercial guarantees.
Companies, leasing, and decarbonization: a clear roadmap
On the B2B front, the brand closed the year with a 4,8% share of the fleet market in Spain and close to 6% in leasing, placing it among the ten best-selling brands in this channel. The Škoda4Business program has become a lever to help large corporations and SMEs reduce emissions without losing operational efficiency.
The corporate discourse is aligned with the offer: Growing electrified range, plug-in hybrids with outstanding ranges and the arrival of increasingly capable electric vehicles. With the recently updated Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé, the Elroq gaining commercial traction, and the Epiq on the horizon in Navarra, the strategy is well-equipped to compete in a market with intensified competition and accelerated transition to decarbonized mobility.
Škoda's 130th anniversary is not just nostalgia: It is a point of support to project leadership In sales, sporting competitiveness, and electric transformation. From the Voiturette A to the Fabia 130, from the Tour de France trophies to the assembly line in Navarra, the brand has woven a coherent narrative that combines heritage, results, and future, and that explains why it is, as they say in the company, at its peak.
Photos: Skoda