The Skoda 1203. Heard of it? Unless you grew up or lived in Eastern Europe, or have specialist knowledge of Eastern European vehicles, it would be a surprise if most people reading this article knew all about this retro vehicle. This Skoda van was the most widely used utility vehicle in Czechoslovakia during the 20th century. It was designed in 1956, having debuted in 1968 and stuck around well into the 1990s. From a fire truck to a flatbed truck to an ambulance, the Skoda 1203 was offered in many different configurations. It was regularly seen on the roads of Eastern Europe. Low production volume continued until 2017.
Let's take a closer look at the Skoda 1203, from the original to the proposed modern refurbishment.
The Original Skoda 1203
If you'd like a taste of what this Skoda vehicle was like back then, it has gotten a modern makeover thanks to Skoda designer Daniel Hajek. Having grown up with a 1203 in the family, the Skoda designer wanted to sketch what a modern version of the iconic van could look like. The good news for the Czech car company is that since it came under Volkswagen's control, the 1203 now has the opportunity to ride on the Volkswagen Transporter's platform, in the form of a Westfalia-style camper van.
Hajek told Auto Week that it was kind of his first car, and he was allowed to drive it around the field of his family's farm by the time he reached the age of 15.
For those who know very little about the original 1203, it was powered by 1.2-liter water-cooled inline-four engines combined with four-speed and later five-speed manual transmissions, with the engine positioned just behind the front axle, located in between and below the two front seats. The engines produced just under 50 hp, which may sound disappointing compared to some of the monster engines on the roads today, but it was perfectly adequate for the time. And now, Hajek has succeeded in making the iconic van look a lot more modern.
What Can We Expect From The Skoda 1203's Modern Design?
The inspiration behind the Skoda 1203's design is hard to underpin. Even though Hajek's original sketch was inspired by the Volkswagen Transporter's platform, the Czech designer's vision could also be battery-electric, using a larger version of the MEB platform that will soon underpin the production ID.Buzz. The disappointing news is that the modern 1203 features no infotainment system.
Hajek deserves credit for attempting to keep the new Skoda van's design close to its original design, but for those who have no idea about the original 1203 and expect it to feature the latest gadgets, they may fail to understand the sense of nostalgia here. But it is not all doom and gloom, as the driver will rely on a standalone tablet or smartphone to control some vehicle functions. Like with the original van, Hajek's concept has an instrument panel behind the steering wheel, but the sole controls on the dashboard are rotary knobs at the center.
Finally, Design Boom noticed that there is also a retractable storage shelf that hangs below as if an upside-down wing.
What Type Of Engine Could The Modern Skoda 1203 Have?
This is where the new Skoda 1203's future all feels a bit uncertain. Hajek has stressed that making it electric would give the new van a lot of space, but the problem is that Skoda has traditionally focused on sedans and hatchbacks and recently ventured into crossovers. Meanwhile, only Volkswagen and SEAT have designed and manufactured many cool vans such as the Routan and Alhambra respectively.
If The 1203 Goes Into Production, Would It Have Any Rivals?
If Volkswagen decides to produce the 1203, it would face some stiff competition from the Nissan e-NV200 Winter Concept. Not only is this vehicle more suitable for cold weather, but it has many outstanding interior features such as a fold away table and a fitted kitchen. Also, the e-NV200 includes a refrigerator and fitted insulating glass. Then again, the 1203's broad appeal may triumph over the e-NV200's narrow winter function, but who knows until Volkswagen decides to produce the van?
Unlike the 1203, whose engine has not been confirmed yet, this vehicle is electric. A separate 220V power pack supplies electricity to the kitchen, lights and fridge. Nissan provides roof-mounted solar power to generate the van's electricity, meaning that drivers would not need to worry about draining the e-NV200's battery pack.
Like its predecessor, the Winter Camper features a 108 bhp electric motor and a 40kWh battery pack, which takes 40 minutes to charge the battery up to 80 percent.
Volkswagen has no plans to make Hajek's design a reality, but maybe one day, like with the ID.Buzz, the German automaker may remake a classic car into a modern best-seller.