Skoda Revives Iconic Pickup with a Fresh 2025 Design

While not entirely developed under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, the Felicia was the pioneering Skoda model to incorporate German engineering expertise. Introduced in 1994 as the successor to the Favorit, it remained available until the Fabia took its place around the year 2000. Throughout its six-year lifespan, this compact hatchback was available in multiple configurations, including a pickup variant. This particular version led to the creation of the unique Felicia Fun, with only 4,216 units produced.

Designed as a recreational vehicle, the Felicia Fun featured a distinctive sliding rear partition positioned behind the front seats. Shifting this partition to the back allowed for the addition of two rear seats while still accommodating cargo space. An open rear section was shielded by a canvas roof, ensuring passenger comfort. Additionally, Skoda enhanced the vehicle with a rear spoiler and a vibrant yellow exterior, though owners had the option to personalize their trucks with green or orange highlights on specific panels.

Moving forward to 2025, the Felicia Fun makes a return, albeit in a new form. Skoda has reintroduced this playful truck as a digital concept under their "Icons Get a Makeover" initiative, which also features the Favorit model. French designer Julien Petitseigneur reimagined the Felicia Fun using Skoda’s "Modern Solid" aesthetic, blending a contemporary appearance with nods to its 1990s origins.

Petitseigneur aimed to capture a "cool beach vibe" and even designed the interior accordingly. In alignment with 2025 trends, the cockpit is dominated by various screens, yet the blocky dashboard pays homage to the past by mimicking the look of bulky CRT monitors. The design further evokes nostalgia with graphics inspired by classic video games from our childhood.

Contrasting with the original model, the modern Felicia Fun is now a strict two-seater, foregoing the previous 2+2 arrangement to prioritize additional cargo space. Despite its innovative design, this revival remains a virtual experiment. In today’s market, where financial considerations often prevail, it is unlikely that the Volkswagen Group will sanction another whimsical pickup like this.

Since the Felicia’s discontinuation, Skoda hasn’t produced a pickup. In the 2010s, there were plans to develop a Skoda variant of the Amarok, but the idea never came to fruition. Earlier this year, students from Skoda’s vocational school converted the Superb flagship into a unique pickup, featuring an unconventional door and a sliding tailgate tailored for a bike rack.