Skoda unveils Scala family hatch
Skodahasrevealeddetailsofits new compact hatchback.
TheScalaisdesignedtotake on the VW Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Kia ceed in the tight C-segment.
Thepositionwaspreviously filed by the Rapid, which never really caught on in the UK but the Scala is all-new and Skoda hope a blend of new styling and then latest tech will see it improve on that.
At4.36mlongand1.8mwide the Scala slots between the Fabia and Octavia in the Skoda range. Like its stablemates, it aims to major on space and value for money, while setting out the brand’s future style and technological direction.
The Scala is longer and wider than the outgoing Rapid with a longer wheelbase offeringmoreinternalspace.Aquick poke around the interior at the unveiling revealed impressive leg and shoulder room for the segment. At 467 litres the boot is also class-leading, following the brand’s usual trick of offering more space than similarly priced rival models.
ThestylingisobviouslySkoda. There are sharp edges and neatanglesaplenty.Theoption- alextendedglasstailgateisreminiscentoftheVolvoC30-nobad thing - and carries the Skoda name script in full - a move other Skoda are set to follow.
As well as setting out the brand’s new offering, the Scala showcasesnewdesigncuesand technology for the brand.
Central to both is a freestanding central touchscreen. Skoda says that by setting the screen apart from and high up in the dash it allows drivers and passengers a better view and easier access. It also means the screen can vary in size from 6.5 inches up to a class-leading 9.2 inches.
Thescreenhoststhealwaysconnectedinternet-linkedinfotainment system. The Scala is the first car in the VW Group to getthelatestversionofthetechnology, which offers over-theair updates, live traffic-based navigation and accident-activated emergency calling.
The Scala will also be availablewitha10.25-inchconfigurablevirtualcockpit,bringingthe digitalinstrumentsfirstseenon the Audi TT to the Skoda compact hatch.
Bolsteringthetechnological sideoftheScalaarestandardfit lane assist and front assist (autonomous emergency braking) as well as the longer-range side assist and adaptive cruise control as well as optional full-LED adaptive headlights and multicollision braking.
At launch the Scala will be offered with four engine options - three petrol and a lone diesel. The petrols start with two tunes of the 1.0-litre threecylinderengine,offering94bhp matched to a five-speed transmission or 114bhp with a sixspeed. The widely used 1.5-litre four-cylinderwith148bhptops the petrol offering and is avail- ablewithasix-speedmanualor seven-speed DSG gearbox. The 114bhp 1.6-litre diesel comes with the six-speed manual or seven-speed auto transmissions.
Available as an option, the dynamicchassiscontrollowers thesuspensionby15mmandoffers standard or sport driving modes, along with eco and individual settings.
Prices and exact specifications are still to be confirmed but expect the Scala to go on sale around mid-2019 and to be keenly priced against its many rivals.