Daniel Petr himself says that he is such an “inventory” of the Škoda Design department. He is one of the oldest designers on business. One of his specializations is sports derivatives of Škoda cars and also car design for Škoda Motorsport. This is one of the reasons why it is quite logical that he chose the Škoda 200 RS for his modern interpretation of some of the Škoda brand icons in the Icons in a New Coat series.
“I have already worked on the design of the model for Škoda Motorsport Octavia WRC,“ Daniel Petr recalls his beginnings with the design of Škoda racing cars. “His” Octavia WRC and 200 RS, which Daniel decided to convert to a modern form, have a lot in common: at the time, they were top specials, whose task was to compete for leading positions in the absolute classification of the World Rally Championship.
But the Škoda 200 RS was a bit unlucky. Before the experts at Škoda Auto managed to fine-tune it during the 1974 and 1975 seasons so that it could win, a change in the rules came. So Škoda changed its strategy and the famous era of the model came 130 RS.
In his interpretation of the 200 RS, Daniel Petr decided to take the path of a completely unique design for the 21st century. “I tried to keep the red and white graphics that are typical of the 200 RS. Back then, it was factory paint. I also transferred some details to the new form, but I didn’t want the car to look like the original at first glance, “ says Daniel. “I wanted to see progress in shapes so that the car would be truly modern.”
And it worked. The silhouette refers to the original 200 RS, which had compared to the serial model Škoda 110 R a 15 cm lower roof. Sharply cut shapes with modern details such as triangular LED headlights, intake intake on the roof, unusually designed rear-view mirrors or a large rear diffuser, however, make Daniel’s interpretation a modern supersport.
The attentive eye will not miss the references to the past: the graphics of the side windows, radiator grille, spoiler on the stern or gold wheels are a clear reference to the original 200 RS. According to the author, it is also a reminder of 120 years of Škoda Motorsport. This is the significant anniversary of the factory team celebrating this year.
Functional special
Daniel has extensive experience in designing racing specials, so he also tried to follow the principles of his project that would allow such a car to be actually used in racing. “Finding a compromise between functionality and beautiful design in racing specials is always a challenge. But after years, I’m so absorbed in it that I tried to achieve it in the car purely from my imagination, “ notes. According to him, the car does not look “cosmic”, the details are designed to work and at the same time the car looked modern. “I was thinking, for example, about engine and brake cooling, aerodynamic elements, the overall ergonomics of the car,” Daniel approaches.
It is said that it adhered to the original in proportions, so today it would be a compact sports car. With the engine in the back, of course. “But I didn’t think much about the drive, the car should definitely have an internal combustion engine, hybrid technology would certainly be used.” the designer ponders over his vision.
As always
He also says that he worked on his idea of the modern 200 RS in essentially the same style as on any other project. “I always take a pencil, a piece of paper first and draw for a while. Here I gave in my free time about 10 minutes of sketching the basic proportions and typical shapes, I was looking for what the car should have, “ Daniel describes his work. After finding the basic lines, according to his words, he goes to work on a computer, where he develops the topic. “I’m adding details, colors, wheels,” explains. In his free time, he worked like this on the appearance of the modern 200 RS for about three weeks.
The result is stunning. The modern Škoda 200 RS undoubtedly refers to the original, while it has a modern design and elements that we will not find anywhere else in Škoda cars, but at the same time it is in some details a typical car of a traditional brand.
Škoda 200 RS
The Škoda 200 RS racing special is actually the forerunner of the legendary and much more successful 130 RS model. The car was created in 1973 and it was a real racing special: at that time the car factory also had to develop its two-liter four-cylinder with an output of 120 kW. Compared to the standard 110 R, the car had a redesigned front axle, the rear axle with trailing arms was completely new. There are no aluminum body panels, the weight only slightly exceeds the limit of 800 kilograms. The car participated in the competition in 1974 and 1975, it was created in only two copies, the third type was the 180 RS with a 1.8-liter engine.
Daniel Petr
Daniel Petr is one of the oldest members of Škoda Design. Over time, he has developed into a specialist in some derivative models, for example, proposing a sporty design of Monte Carlo and RS. He is the author of the design of the Octavia WRC special or, for example, the current racing equipment of the Škoda Fabia WRC, Škoda Fabia S2000 or Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo models. For the new generation of the Fabia model prepared, for example, a special camouflage, with which selected journalists, for example, could test the car before the premiere.
Even in her free time, she draws Daniela to motorsport. He is taking care of his rally piece Škoda 100, which coincidentally has the former red and white factory colors as 200 RS. He participates in historic rally car races with his car.
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