Škoda continues its tradition of apprentice projects and presents the L&K 130, a support vehicle specially designed for cycling. The tenth trainee car from the Škoda vocational school in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) was developed and built by 28 trainees. For the first time, a Škoda Superb Combi served as the basis for the project, which was converted into a pick-up-like vehicle in more than 2000 hours of work. The name L&K 130 commemorates the company founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, who started producing Slavia brand bicycles 130 years ago. The special gold, red and black colour scheme and the classic Laurin & Klement logo on the bonnet, wheel hubs and steering wheel pay homage to the company's first cars from 1905. The vehicle was now on show for the first time at the 112th Tour de France and was intended to underline Škoda's long-standing connection to cycling. The Czech car manufacturer is the official main partner of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift until 2028.
Extensive body modifications for cycling use
The trainees have made extensive changes to the body of the Superb Combi to transform it into a functional support vehicle for cycle races. The estate roof was cut off behind the C-pillars and the body parts of the remaining passenger cabin were reinforced. The B and C pillars were adapted and the roof rails shortened. A new rear cabin wall with rear window separates the interior from the open loading area. A special innovation is the right-hand rear door, which has been equipped with a newly developed lift-and-slide mechanism. This enables the door to be opened safely even when professional cyclists drive close to the vehicle, as the door does not swing open outwards in the traditional way. The trainees designed this mechanism in close collaboration with experts from the company's development department.
Innovative loading area for quick wheel access
The centrepiece of the conversion is the new, low-positioned loading area, which takes the place of the original luggage compartment. Together with the new tailgate, this can be extended to the rear at the touch of a button from the inside or outside using a unique rack-and-pinion mechanism. This design makes it possible to quickly unload a spare bike for a racer at a comfortable height during a race. Two standard bike racks from the original Škoda accessories are installed on the platform. When the platform is retracted with the tailgate, the carriers with the bikes slide upwards to an angle of 35 degrees, and the vehicle retains the same length as the original Škoda Superb Combi. A third bicycle can be transported on a roof rack. This design makes the L&K 130 an ideal support vehicle for professional cycling races, where quick access to spare bikes can be crucial.
Plug-in hybrid drive for green support
The L&K 130 is the first apprentice car with a plug-in hybrid drive. This was adopted unchanged from the Škoda Superb Combi iV and combines a 1.5 TSI petrol engine with 110 kW (150 PS) and an electric motor to produce a system output of 150 kW (204 PS). The high-voltage battery with a gross capacity of 25.7 kWh enables a sufficient electric range for use as a support vehicle in cycle races. Thanks to the pure electric mode, the vehicle can operate emission-free in the vicinity of the professional cyclists, which is particularly advantageous on uphill climbs. The plug-in hybrid drive also offers the necessary flexibility for longer transfers between stages, where the combustion engine can be used.
Functional interior for professional cycling teams
The interior is dominated by the classic L&K colours of red, white, gold and black on the seats, door panels and dashboard. The materials used are recyclable. A "130 years" logo is embroidered into the covers of the front sports seats. The trainees have integrated numerous special features to meet the needs of a professional cycling team. An additional display on the passenger side of the dashboard shows data required to support the racing drivers. This data is always up to date thanks to a permanent internet connection. A radio has been installed for communication within the team. In place of the left-hand rear seat is a large cool box for the professional cyclists' water bottles. The 12V battery has been placed behind the rear seats. A large net under the roof liner provides storage space for small items such as energy bars or bandages. The service technician on the right-hand rear seat has his own display on the back of the passenger seat. Many equipment details were produced using 3D printing technology, including the brackets for the storage net and various logos.
Škoda and its cycling tradition
Škoda's connection to cycling goes back to the very beginnings of the company. In 1895, cycling enthusiasts Václav Laurin and Václav Klement began developing and manufacturing bicycles under the name Slavia. This enthusiasm for cycling has remained part of the brand's DNA to this day and is reflected in its support for numerous international cycling races. Škoda Auto is the official main partner of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift until 2028. The collaboration with the sports organisers A.S.O. and Unipublic covers a total of 20 international cycling races, including the Tour of Spain La Vuelta and the Belgian and French one-day classics La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Paris-Roubaix. The L&K 130 is therefore not only a technically impressive apprentice project, but also a symbol of the historic connection between Škoda and cycling.
Training tradition at Škoda
The tradition of vocational education and training at Škoda's headquarters in Mladá Boleslav has existed for almost 100 years. Škoda founded its vocational school back in 1927. It has been a private institution of Škoda Auto since 1991 and is now part of the Škoda Academy, which opened in 2013. The school began with 58 trainees in its first year and has produced more than 24,000 graduates to date. By the 2024/25 school year, the number of students will have risen to more than 750. The Škoda vocational school currently offers three and four-year training programmes. The three-year courses end with a final examination and a journeyman's certificate, while the four-year courses end with a vocational baccalaureate. After successful completion, many graduates continue their training at a technical college or university or join Škoda Auto directly. The company offers every graduate a job. "The tenth Azubi Car continues a proud and long-standing tradition of the Škoda Academy. This high-calibre project is an important part of our vocational training and a strong expression of our commitment to promoting young talent. Spectacular one-offs such as the Škoda L&K 130 demonstrate the creativity, skill and curiosity of our trainees year after year," explains Maren Gräf, Škoda Auto Board Member for People & Culture.
Technical specifications of the Škoda L&K 130
- Basis: Škoda Superb Combi
- Drive: Plug-in hybrid with 1.5 TSI petrol engine (110 kW/150 PS) and electric motor
- System output: 150 kW (204 PS)
- Battery: High-voltage battery with 25.7 kWh gross capacity
- Body: Modified pick-up structure with extendable load floor
- Special equipment: Two standard bike racks on the cargo area, one roof rack
- Special functions: Right-hand rear sliding door, electrically extendable cargo bed with rack and pinion mechanism
- Interior equipment: Additional displays, radio, cool box for drinks bottles, storage net under the roof liner
- Colour scheme: gold, red and black (classic L&K colours)
- Special features: First use of a Superb Combi and a plug-in hybrid drive in an apprentice car
