The Vision O interior: charming, practical and functional

The unveiling of the Škoda Vision O study continues. This time, a short video reveals a glimpse into its innovative interior. Beyond emphasizing practicality and spaciousness, it demonstrates that the future of Škoda estate cars will also be intuitive, sustainable, and elegant.

The new interior architecture of the Vision O focuses on practical layout and outstanding ergonomics. Its minimalist design conveys a sense of safety and calm. Materials, colours, and technical solutions are combined in a previously unseen way, creating an elegant and functional whole.

“From the very beginning, we developed the entire interior concept collaboratively across departments, adapting the overall look and functionality to material choices and specific controls,” explains Julien Petitseigneur, who worked on the overall interior design. The architecture, materials, colours, and controls were therefore created in close cooperation and mutual understanding.

The color & material concept is guided by the idea of Circularity which leads directly to the use of mono materials and embraces the mono aesthetic look which these materials bring. ”We are experiencing a shift in how we perceive materials, as for me it seems like the beauty of a material unfolds with its ability to be recycled and recyclable,” notes Peregrina Iglesias from the Color & Trim department. The interior makes use of only a few materials, such as 100% PES recycled flatknit custom knitted to the seat design and therefore does not require material waste.

A bespoke element of the interior is the headrest from Ultrasint TPU which is 3D printed without further finishing processes and therefore recycable again. Furthermore plantbased microfibre material on the large parts of the interior and a recycled leather floor.

The atmosphere of the interior is enhanced by brand-new control elements. “We wanted to test some of our ideas that we would like to bring into production in the future, and Vision O gives us the opportunity to do that. We are looking forward to receiving feedback,” says Daniel Hájek, who worked on the user interface concept. All features feel natural and intuitive. “Even the faces you encounter in the study environment are not random. They belong to colleagues who worked on the project – and even my daughter,” Hájek reveals an interesting detail.

In a word

As part of the gradual unveiling of the Vision O study, Škoda Auto’s designers were asked to tcapture the concept in a single word. For the interior, Peregrina Iglesias chose a-chromatic. The a- chromatic color concept of the interior is friendly and invites the user to sit in and relax, with the support of the bio-adaptive ambient illumination, and it acts as a framework to experience the HMI. ”The exterior color Circadian Hue complements the a-chromaticity with its prismatic particles creating a virtual shimmer shifting from sand beige to blue,” says Iglesias. Her colleague Daniel Hájek described it as natural. “The solutions and the way people interact with the car feel natural, timeless, and valuable,” he says. And Julien Petitseigneur adds that, for him, Vision O is honest. “It’s not a car chasing after superficial glamour – it responds to customer needs, and everything we included serves a clear purpose,” he summarizes his impressions.

Thanks to completely new solutions, working on the study was not only demanding but also refreshing for the design teams, and this is reflected in the final outcome. “With my colleagues, we followed the principle that no idea is a bad idea – even if it seems so at first sight. It can lead to surprisingly practical and enjoyable solutions,” says Daniel Hájek. “We truly started with a blank sheet of paper, without a predefined design assignment,” adds Julien Petitseigneur, describing the creative environment of the project. “Our industry, among others, is facing enormous changes, and questions arise that perhaps no one can fully answer yet. With Vision O, we are trying to explore and suggest some of those answers,” reflects Peregrina Iglesias. “We pursued our goal together, everything in the project flowed smoothly, and gradually it all started to make sense.”

Word from the Head of Škoda Design

Oliver Stefani, Head of Škoda Design, has stated: "The interior design concept of the Vision O showcases our commitment to combining simplicity and sustainability with enhanced comfort. The combination of clean lines and intuitive functionality reflect our efforts to create a harmonious and functional interior. It features materials and design elements that are not only aesthetically an evolution of our Modern Solid design language but also emphasize environmental responsibility."

Work on Vision O sometimes kept the designers awake at night. “You think about projects like this literally 24 hours a day, seven days a week. My most creative ideas often crystallized at home after midnight,” says Daniel Hájek. “Inspiration can come from absolutely anything around you – an object, a film, or a fashion style. You constantly process these impressions, and with the help of colleagues, they evolve into concrete ideas,” explains Julien Petitseigneur. “For me, nature is a major source of inspiration – it essentially holds the answer to everything,” concludes Peregrina Iglesias on the topic of inspiration.