NEW CAR DEBRIEF SKODA SCALA
1 Say hello to Skoda’s Golf
The new Scala is the product of Skoda getting altogether more serious in the space in which Focus and Golf enjoy so much success. Skoda’s last gladiator in this arena went by the name of Rapid and, to continue the analogy, was about as lethal as a kitten brandishing a sponge bag. The Scala is dierent.
2 Moves the needle how?
The platform beneath the Scala is the latest evolution of the VW Group’s MQB, deployed to good eect in the Seat Ibiza and widely lauded VW TRoc. As with the new AClass, the Scala will also go big on interior sex appeal, with plenty of space, Virtual Cockpit and rangetopping 10.25-inch touchscreen.
3 Like a Tesla inside, then?
Steady on – this will be sold at an entirely dierent price point. But certainly there’s some Musk-inspired thinking in here, from the whopping main interface through over-the-air software updates to a complementary phone app through which you can lock and unlock the car. No EV power just yet, though.
4 What’s under the hood?
A pretty predictable – but sweet – line-up of VW Group petrol engines, with a lone diesel for intrepid big-milers. A 95bhp 1.0-litre TSI manual is the most modest powertrain, and the very likeable 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI the fruitiest option.