Wild new Skoda ute concept teased as a Czech-born all-electric rival to the Slate pickup and BYD Shark 6

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Skoda has today unveiled a wild new concept ute, the Felicia Fun, which combines elements of the Czech brand’s new modern-solid contemporary design language with characteristics of the original model, which debuted in 1995. 

The ‘new’ Felicia Fun joins the rank of several recent Skoda concept cars, including the Vision O electric wagon, Favorit EV small car concept, and Vision 7S midsize EV SUV, all of which use Skoda’s ‘modern solid’ design language, and dedicated EV powertrains. 

Skoda claims its ‘Modern Solid’ design marquee, which is prolific on Skoda EV models, focuses on timeless, contemporary design. Skoda Auto executive Martin Jahn describes the style as “a design overhaul, not only with regard to products but also the whole brand.”

The Felicia Fun isn’t the first Skoda ute concept to debut this year. In June, Skoda revealed a living, breathing dual cab ute (admittedly a chopped-up Skoda Superb) known as the Skoda L&K 130, which serves as a team vehicle for bicycle racing.

Skoda additionally debuted a one-off ‘Mountiaq’ ute concept in partnership with several design studios back in 2019. That car started life as a Kodiaq large SUV.

Skoda claims the bright yellow concept, which sports a body-length pink rear light, huge aero-style alloy wheels, steeply raked front windscreen, and stark rear spoiler you could serve a roast dinner on, is a ‘light-hearted side project’ which nods to a legend of yesteryear.

The ‘modern solid’ front end of the Felicia Fun features bright ‘T’ shaped LED headlights, and a vertical-slit front bar which mirrors Skoda’s current EV lineup, particularly the upcoming Epiq small SUV. 

The lifestyle-focused single-cab design appears to be rich in space and utility. Key rivals in the left-of-field ute-segment include the upcoming ‘DIY’ Slate pickup truck and BYD Shark 6 PHEV ute.

Inside, the Felicia Fun sports a full-width multimedia screen, with graphics reminiscent of retro video game graphics, at least in the provided sketch. The huge screen sits in front of bright yellow bucket seats adorning neon pink ascents, which are separated by a chunky centre console.

What’s underneath the skin?

The Felicia Fun is undoubtedly a lifestyle SUV, likely built on a monocoque ‘skateboard’ EV platform with rear or all-wheel drive. 

The powertrain would likely be shared with the current Skoda Enyaq – a drivetrain borrowing strategy which was also used in the newly launched Skoda Elroq. This means a battery size of 77kWh, 400V electronic architecture, and outputs of 210kW or 250kW. 

Lifestyle utes are scarce in Australia, where many look towards more rugged ladder-chassis dual-cabs like the Ford Ranger, Kia Tasman and Toyota Hilux. In North America, pickings are broader, and include the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline.

Will the Felicia Fun come to Australia?

With Skoda labelling the Felicia Fun concept a ‘light hearted side project’, it seems unlikely that it will reach production vehicle status, but it’s notable that the brand has shown repeated interest in building ute concepts.

Chasing Cars has reached out to Skoda Australia for comment on the Felicia Fun and will update this story if any additional information is shared.

Unfortunately, the weird and wonderful Felicia Fun concept is highly unlikely to ever see the light of day; whether as a physical concept or as a production vehicle.