Geneva show: Skoda’s new Vision

SKODA has used parent company Volkswagen Group’s presentation night ahead of the Geneva motor show to unveil a striking new five-door mid-sized vehicle concept dubbed the Vision D.

Far from previewing the German-engineered Czech brand’s next-generation Octavia, however, Skoda says the Vision D is merely a design concept that – for the first time – reveals the company’s new corporate styling direction.

Presented under the slogan “The New Power of Skoda”, the Vision D is said to represent Skoda’s move towards extending its model portfolio and intensifying its activity in Europe, as well as emerging nations like China, India and Russia.

The most distinctive aspects of the Vision D liftback are a cleaner new grille that features a more prominent winged arrow Skoda logo and is flanked, in a radical departure from the oversized headlights that appear on current Skoda models, by two super-narrow straight-edged headlights.

“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,” said Skoda sales and marketing chief Jürgen Stackmann.

“Skoda 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, Skoda is eager to flex its newfound strength in the international arena. Skoda is steadily evolving and it shows. Our new design and fresh outlook reflect our plans for the future.”