Children

Skoda makes the baby stroller more manly

Skoda makes the baby stroller more manly
Škoda's VRS Mega Man-Pram
Škoda's VRS Mega Man-Pram
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The VRS Mega Man-Pram, alongside a Škoda Octavia VRS
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The VRS Mega Man-Pram, alongside a Škoda Octavia VRS
The VRS Mega Man-Pram features hydraulic suspension, wing mirrors, oversized brake calipers, brake lights and a headlamp for night walks
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The VRS Mega Man-Pram features hydraulic suspension, wing mirrors, oversized brake calipers, brake lights and a headlamp for night walks
The stroller rides on 20-inch wheels surrounded by all-terrain rubber and packs plenty of car-like tech for dad to geek out on
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The stroller rides on 20-inch wheels surrounded by all-terrain rubber and packs plenty of car-like tech for dad to geek out on
Škoda's VRS Mega Man-Pram
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Škoda's VRS Mega Man-Pram
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Correct or not, some men have the impression that transporting the baby is the woman's domain. Equipment designed for baby transportation is by extension "women's gear." One European automaker decided to flip this perception on its head by creating an uprated stroller specifically for men. Now there's no excuse for a father not to take the baby for a walk.

Men love their gear and technology, even when it comes to something as simple as a baby stroller. Czech automaker Škoda surveyed 1,000 British dads and found that more than three-quarters would spend more time pushing their babies around if they had a higher spec baby stroller. About a third say they were embarrassed pushing regular strollers around. So, the company went about building something more their speed, including popularly cited "wish list" features.

Designed to be "fit for a king," the VRS Mega Man-Pram is an imposing four-wheeled baby cart that doesn't look like anything you've seen around the city park. It rides on 20-inch wheels surrounded by all-terrain rubber and packs plenty of car-like tech for dad to geek out on, including hydraulic suspension, wing mirrors, oversized brake calipers, brake lights and a headlamp for night walks. A set of anti-stress grips provides a cushy grab, with or without leather strollering gloves.

As for baby, he won't build up any tech envy of daddy thanks to a crib decked out with sports style upholstery and lumbar support.

As unique as the VRS Mega Man-Pram is, we don't imagine that many dads, moms or otherwise would be interested in a massive stroller likely to cost more than a used car. Škoda doesn't mention any plans to sell it.

The VRS Mega Man-Pram, alongside a Škoda Octavia VRS
The VRS Mega Man-Pram, alongside a Škoda Octavia VRS

"We used it in the new Octavia VRS TV ad because we wanted to bring to life the idea of enhancing the performance of everyday objects," says Heidi Cartledge, head of marketing at Škoda UK. "The high tech-buggy gives a tongue in cheek sense of what you could experience if you VRS’d your life."

You can watch that advertisement below, which includes a few other pieces of "upgraded" man, woman and child gear.

Source: Škoda UK

ŠKODA Octavia vRS - Not Your Everyday Family Car Ad

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6 comments
6 comments
John Hogan
See? Horsepower does make everything better. It's pleasing to see that Skoda is acknowledging this. I will now pay more attention to the products they sell.
martinkopplow
Baby strollers are un-manly by nature. They're clumsy, ugly, expensive, not public transport friendly, and they usually lack ergonomical design to an extent that renders them useless for a full grown man. This one - even if taken as a joke - does not actually make it any better. I have always refused to use them, and rather carried the 'payload' around. The 'payload' liked it very much, and it was easier for me.
Stradric
How to compensate for insecurities: 101.
I'd be way more embarrassed to walk around with this monstrosity than a pink stroller and a poodle. This thing screams insecurity.
Nairda
Too right Stradric. Any man too embarrassed to walk his child down the street in whatever, is in my opinion a man child that should not have been given the privilege of breeding.
Strollers are no more impractical then bicycles or wheelchairs. You just choose the one that suits your size, requirements and lifestyle. Most are narrow enough to fit any places, unless you opt for one of those that carry 3 children, which I'll agree are a bit ridiculous, but unavoidable if you have 3 small kids !
I know Skoda are taking a dig here trying to market their small vehicle as something a 'man' would climb into. But frankly I see nothing feminine about their cars , so where does the insecurity come from?
Necatus
Juvenile is the first thing I thought of when I saw this stroller...
Facebook User
This would be a bitch to fold down and pack away.