Škoda Turns Superb Combi Into a Race-Ready Pickup With Expandable Bike Bed

In a nod to Škoda’s deep-rooted cycling heritage, students from the Škoda Academy have unveiled a custom-built concept vehicle dubbed the L&K 130—a one-off support pickup designed specifically for bicycle racing. Based on the Škoda Superb Combi, the student-led project reimagines the brand’s flagship wagon into a practical utility vehicle tailored to the needs of professional cycling teams.

The concept will make its official debut at the 112th edition of the Tour de France, which takes place from July 5 to 27, marking another chapter in Škoda’s long-standing association with one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world.

The L&K 130 is far from a typical utility conversion. While retaining the essence of the Superb Combi, the students modified the rear of the vehicle to create a compact yet expandable cargo bed, accessible via a sliding tailgate mechanism. At the touch of a button, the tail section extends to allow easier loading and unloading of equipment, particularly two racing bicycles mounted securely in custom-built racks. An additional roof-mounted rack enables storage for a third bicycle when required. 

To accommodate this transformation, significant bodywork modifications were made. The rear upper section was removed and restructured, including the installation of a new rear window and altered pillars. A standout engineering solution is the redesigned rear door on the passenger side, which now features two door handles and slides backwards, enabling improved access to the modified cabin and storage area.

The L&K 130 features several bespoke components designed with performance and practicality in mind. Externally, it rides on 19-inch Supernova alloy wheels, and sports a bold livery of gold, red, black, and white, complemented by a backlit grille and Laurin & Klement (L&K) logos, paying tribute to the brand’s founders.

Inside the cabin, the visual theme continues. The seats feature upholstery matching the exterior scheme and are embroidered with “130 years” to commemorate the company’s origins in bicycle production. The cabin has been equipped with numerous storage solutions, including a roof net for smaller items and a large cool box designed to keep water bottles cold during race-day support operations. For real-time coordination and data tracking, two additional display screens have been installed on the dashboard and rear seats, along with an integrated radio system for team communication.

Mechanically, the L&K 130 retains the plug-in hybrid drivetrain from the standard Škoda Superb Combi iV. It combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 201 bhp. The vehicle is powered by a 25.7 kWh battery, which in standard form provides an EV-only range of over 100 km. However, Škoda notes that the added weight and aerodynamic compromises of the pickup conversion are likely to reduce that electric range slightly. 

The L&K 130 is the tenth concept vehicle created by students of the Škoda Academy since the initiative began in 2014. Previous builds include the Citijet, Funstar, and Mountiaq, with each project offering students real-world experience in automotive design, engineering, and production. The 2021 and 2024 editions were skipped due to the pandemic and workshop renovations, respectively.