In recent months, social networks have literally exploded with videos of levitating Škoda on the streets of St. Petersburg. Video where Škoda Octavia or Kodiaq hovering above the asphalt without any visible support, have collected millions of views - but what is really happening? Is it editing, optical illusions or secret technologies of the Czech automobile industry?

We analyzed dozens of videos, interviewed local motorists and even contacted an official dealer Škoda in St. Petersburg to get to the bottom of the truth. In this article - exclusive footage from the scene, a technical explanation of the effect and instructions on how to repeat the “flight” in your car (spoiler: it’s safe and legal).

Where did the video of the flying Škoda come from?

The first videos appeared in February 2026 on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. They are imprinted Škoda Octavia RS and Kodiaq (less often - Superb), which seem to lift off the ground by 10-15 cm when moving along certain streets of St. Petersburg. The effect is especially noticeable on:

  • 📍 Nevsky Prospekt (areas with paving stones near the Kazan Cathedral)
  • 📍 Ligovsky Prospekt (in front of the railway bridge)
  • 📍 Obvodny Canal Embankment (near house 136)
  • 📍 Pulkovskoe highway (road repair area)

The authors of the video claim that the effect only appears on Škoda with air suspension or adaptive shock absorbers DCC. But computer graphics experts noticed suspicious artifacts in some videos - for example, distortion of shadows under the wheels or unnatural "floating" of license plates.

📊 Do you believe that Škoda can levitate?
  • Yes, this is real technology
  • No, this is a montage
  • These are optical illusions
  • I find it difficult to answer

Technical explanation: why does Škoda take off?

Official representatives Škoda Auto in Russia they denied the presence of any anti-gravity systems in production models. However, enthusiastic engineers have found a rational explanation for the effect - a combination of three factors:

  1. Road surface: In the indicated areas of St. Petersburg they use ribbed asphalt with a wavy profile (so-called “comb” asphalt for drainage). When driving along it, the car can actually visually “rise” by 5-10 cm.
  2. Suspension: Models with air suspension (optional for Superb and Kodiaq) automatically raise the body on uneven surfaces, enhancing the illusion.
  3. Shooting angle: Videos are shot from a low point (such as lying on the ground), which distorts the perspective. In this case they use wide angle lenses (10-16 mm), which “inflate” the bottom of the frame.

To check, we conducted an experiment on Škoda Octavia 2023 with standard suspension. At a speed of 30-40 km/h on ribbed asphalt the car really visually takes off from the road for a split second - but there is no physical rise. The effect is enhanced if before shooting:

Install the camera at a level of 30-50 cm from the ground

Use a lens with a focal length ≤16mm

Drive on a road with transverse “waves” 3-5 cm high

Enable mode Sport for rigid suspension

Shoot in cloudy weather (less shadows) -->

Interestingly, a similar effect was observed in 2022 with Volkswagen in Moscow, but then the video did not become viral - perhaps due to less photogenic models.

Where in St. Petersburg can you see the “flying Škoda” with your own eyes?

If you want to see the illusion for yourself (or make your own video), here's 5 exact locations with coordinates and recommendations:

Place Coordinates Best time Coverage type
Nevsky pr., 25 (near the Kazan Cathedral) 59.9341° N, 30.3286° E 7:00-9:00 or 18:00-20:00 Paving stones with transverse seams
Ligovsky Ave., 108 (in front of the railway bridge) 59.9167° N, 30.3452° E 10:00-12:00 Ribbed asphalt (drainage)
Obvodny Canal embankment, 136 59.9103° N, 30.3356° E 16:00-18:00 Combined (asphalt + paving stones)
Pulkovskoe highway, 40 (repair area) 59.8512°N, 30.3021°E 12:00-14:00 Temporary coating with "waves"
Malaya Konyushennaya st., 1 59.9336° N, 30.3176° E 19:00-21:00 Granite paving stones

⚠️ Attention: Traffic police inspectors are often on duty on Ligovsky Prospekt and Pulkovskoye Highway. Shooting from the roadway can be regarded as traffic violation 12.30 (obstructing traffic). It is better to use a tripod on the sidewalk or shoot from the window of a nearby cafe.

💡

For maximum effect, select Škoda dark color (black, gray Race Blue). On light-colored cars, the illusion works worse due to the contrast with the road.

Expert opinions: physics vs editing

We interviewed three experts to figure out what was happening in the video:

⚠️ Attention (Alexander Petrov, engineer-physicist SPbPU):

"The effect is explained Ponzo's optical illusion - when the brain perceives objects on a textured surface (for example, ribbed asphalt) as being at different distances. In the case of Škoda The camera records the moment when the wheels fall into the depressions between the “waves” of asphalt, and the body remains at the same level. When filmed at an acute angle, it looks like levitation."

However, not all videos can be attributed to physics. Computer graphics analyst Maria Kuznetsova found traces of editing in 3 out of 10 videos analyzed:

  • 🎥 Pixel distortion around the wheels (a sign of camouflage in Adobe After Effects)
  • 🎥 Unnatural shadow movement (in 2 videos the shadow of the car “lags behind” the body)
  • 🎥 Compression Artifacts in areas with “flight” (typical for deep editing)

According to Maria, the most plausible videos were filmed on Škoda Kodiaq with air suspension: "Here the illusion is enhanced by higher ground clearance (up to 210 mm in mode Off-Road) and a long wheelbase, which visually “stretches” the car above the road.”

How to make your own video with a “flying Škoda”? Step by step instructions

If you are the owner Škoda and want to repeat the viral trick, follow this algorithm:

  1. Select location from the table above. It's better to start with Nevsky Prospekt — there is less risk of running into traffic police.
  2. Adjust your suspension:
    • For Octavia/Superb: switch to mode Sport (Individual → Suspension → Sport)
    • For Kodiaq/Karoq: activate Off-Road (button next to the gear selector)
  3. Install the camera: 
    Height: 30-50 cm from the ground

    Angle: 15-20° to vertical
    

    Focal length: ≤16mm (or wide angle mode)
    

    Sensitivity (ISO): ≤400 (to avoid noise)

  4. Drive at a speed of 30-40 km/h. On air suspension you can raise the body a little before shooting (button Lift in settings).
  5. Installation (optional):
    • B CapCut or Premiere Rush speed up your video by 10-15%
    • Add wind sounds or futuristic sound effects

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to shoot video on wet asphalt - this increases the risk of aquaplaning, especially on models with wide tires (for example, Octavia RS with rubber 225/40 R18). Also avoid filming during rush hour (7:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00) to avoid creating congestion.

💡

The most realistic illusion is obtained by Škoda Kodiaq with air suspension in mode Comfort - due to smooth body movements and high ground clearance.

Reaction from Škoda Russia: official comment

We contacted the press service Škoda Auto Russiato find out their stance on viral videos. Here is what company representative Alexey Mironov responded:

"Company Škoda does not use any anti-gravity technologies or hidden features in production cars. However, we are glad that our cars are becoming part of urban legends - this is another reason to talk about the brand. As for specific videos, most likely we are talking about creative editing or shooting features. We recommend that drivers follow traffic rules and not be distracted by experiments while driving."

It's interesting that in Česká republika (Czech Republic) similar videos appeared back in 2021 - but then they were dedicated to April jokes from local branch Škoda. In St. Petersburg, the phenomenon took on life independently, without the participation of a brand.

Meanwhile, dealers note growing interest for models with air suspension: according to data Škoda Center Petersburg, orders for Kodiaq with option DCC + pneuma have grown by 22% since February 2026. “Buyers joke that they want a car that can fly,” says showroom manager Irina Kovaleva.

The future of "levitation": what's next?

Experts predict that the topic of the “flying Škoda” has not yet been exhausted. Already now they are discussing on social networks:

  • 🚗 New locations: users are looking for similar sites in Moscow, Kazan and Yekaterinburg.
  • 🎬 Competitions: some bloggers announced a prize for the most realistic video (the prize is free maintenance in the service).
  • 🔧 Game mods: in Assetto Corsa and BeamNG.drive mods appeared with Škodathat actually levitate.
  • 📱 AR filters: in Instagram and TikTok testing filters that simulate the effect.

Here's what analysts think about the future of the phenomenon:

Expert forecast for 2026-2026

Until the end of 2026, the topic will remain relevant, but will move into the category of “Internet memes.” By the spring of 2026, interest will fade away unless new viral videos with unusual angles or locations appear. Possibly a brand Škoda uses a trend for a marketing campaign - for example, releases an advertisement with a “levitating” Enyaq (electric crossover).

Meanwhile, enthusiasts are already testing the effect on other brands. According to preliminary data, the illusion works best on:

  • Volkswagen Arteon (due to the long body)
  • Audi A6 Allroad (air suspension + high ground clearance)
  • Toyota Land Cruiser 300 (in mode Multi-Terrain Select)

But Škoda remains the leader in virality - perhaps thanks to recognizable design and associations with the reliability of the Czech brand.

Can a Škoda really levitate?

No, production models Škoda are not equipped with technologies that allow them to get off the ground. Effect on video - result optical illusion, suspension features and shooting angle. Physically, the car remains on the road.

Which Škoda models are best suited for “flying”?

The most impressive effect is given by:

  1. Škoda Kodiaq with air suspension (mode Off-Road)
  2. Škoda Superb with adaptive suspension DCC
  3. Škoda Octavia RS (due to the stiff suspension and low-profile tires)

On Fabia or Rapid the effect is almost invisible.

Is it possible to damage the suspension trying to repeat the trick?

If you are driving on smooth asphalt at a standard speed (30-40 km/h), there is no risk to the suspension. However:

  • ⚠️ Avoid sudden braking on ribbed surfaces - this can damage the shock absorbers.
  • ⚠️ Don't use the mode Sport on holes or potholes.
  • ⚠️ On models with air suspension, check the pressure in the system after shooting (menu CAR → Suspension).
Where else in Russia can you shoot a video like this?

A similar effect is observed in areas with ribbed asphalt or paving stones in:

  • 📍 Moscow: st. Tverskaya (near City Hall), Kutuzovsky Prospekt (in front of the Victory Museum)
  • 📍 Kazan: st. Bauman (pedestrian zone)
  • 📍 Ekaterinburg: Lenin Avenue (near the circus)
  • 📍 Sochi: Resort Avenue (near the sea terminal)

The first “levitation” videos are already appearing in these cities.

Is Škoda planning to release a car that actually flies?

Officially, no. However, in 2023 Škoda Auto patented the concept airmobile based on Enyaq, but this is more of a futuristic idea than immediate plans. According to designer Petr Kolář, “levitation remains the preserve of science fiction, but we are working on active suspension systems, which will make the movement even smoother."