Skoda receives Red Dot award for Prague 52T tram design

Skoda Group has been awarded the prestigious international Red Dot Award for the product design of the ForCity Plus 52T tram developed for the city of Praha (Prague), capital of the Czech Republic. This was because the state-of-the-art vehicle not only exhibits technical excellence and safety and operational reliability, but also thoughtful design focussed on passengers, tram drivers and the urban environment.  

 

The 52T tram was designed specifically for the Czech capitals demanding tramway network, with narrow streets and tight curves, lines with steep gradients and busy urban routes with a requirement for capacity, passenger comfort (including air conditioning) and smooth operation. The 52T is a single-ended five-section 100% low-floor tram with rotating bogies, 32m long and 2.5m wide, with capacity for 243 passengers (70 seated). DPP, the tramway operator in Praha, is taking delivery of 40 52T trams with options for a further 160, one of the most significant investments in the renewal of the capital’s tram fleet in modern history. 

 

Thomás Chludit, Head of Industrial Design at Skoda Group, said, 'Receiving the Red Dot Award is an exceptionally strong confirmation for us that the design of the 52T tram can stand out in the most demanding international competition. From the very beginning, our ambition with this vehicle was to combine a modern technical solution, a high level of passenger comfort, safety and a visual identity reflecting Prague’s importance as one of Europe’s largest tram cities. This award therefore belongs to the entire team involved in the tram’s development’. The award will be presented at a ceremony in the German city of Essen at the Red Dot Design Museum.