Skoda Scala launching in Australia in early 2020

Sitting between the Fabia light car and Octavia mid-sizer, the 2019 Skoda Scala has finally been revealed overseas. After a number of teasers, Skoda’s Volkswagen Golf competitor has seen the light of day and provides a look into the future of Skoda design.

Based on the same MQB platform as almost everything in the Volkswagen Group product sphere, the Scala is sized just larger than the Golf. It offers a range of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, an all-new interior aesthetic for the brand and will be launched in Australia at the beginning of 2020.

Škoda CEO, Bernhard Maier, said, “We are starting a new chapter in Škoda’s compact car range with the new Škoda Scala. It is an all-new model that sets benchmarks within its segment in terms of technology, safety and design.”

“The Scala perfectly embodies the Škoda-typical ‘smart understatement’. We’re convinced that the Scala has the best chance of redefining the A segment for Škoda.”

Replacing the Rapid in Skoda’s lineup, the Scala previews the brand’s new styling direction. Previewed by the Vision RS concept car from the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the Scala looks fresh and modern, and unlike some previous Skoda designs, is also bold to look at. In particular, the front end is striking with an angular face, a large grille and more emotive than previous Skoda design. The rear makes use of huge tailights with LED internals – including scrolling indicators for the first time on a Skoda product – and like the Rapid that it’s replacing, an optional glass panel that stretches all the way to the number plate recess. The rear Skoda badge has been replaced by Skoda being spelt out, which is a design touch the brand will use from now onwards.

Sitting on the brand’s MQB-A0 platform, the Skoda Scala measures 4,362mm long, 1,471mm high, 1,793mm wide and sits on a 2,649mm long wheelbase – 166mm longer, 21mm taller, 6mm narrower and with a 29mm longer wheelbase than the Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf. Skoda claims that the Scala offers the largest boot in its class, with 471-litres with the rear seats up, and 1,410-litres with the rear seats folded – 91-litres and 140-litres larger than the Golf, respectively. It’s also more than double the 217-litre effort of the new Toyota Corolla hatchback, which will be one of the Scala’s main competitors.

The interior of the Scala features a new design direction for the Skoda brand as well, and uses the ‘floating tablet’ theme that many other brands are currently using. Centrepiece of the Scala’s interior is either a 5.8, an 8.0 or 9.2-inch infotainment screen that appears to be quite similar to the screen used in cars such as the Superb, Karoq and Kodiaq. There’s also a lot of soft touch materials, a light wood interior trim option, as well as a lot of chrome detailing and piano black details – clearly, more thought has gone into materials than the Octavia.

Available technology and equipment have been increased dramatically compared with the Rapid that the Scala replaces. Autonomous emergency braking with lane keep assist is standard across the range, as are LED head- and tailights. Available features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB C front and rear charging ports, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and windscreen, an inbuilt 4G SIM card to remotely access the car’s features, an electric bootlid, wireless phone charging, rear airvents, wheels up to 18-inches in size, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and driver attention alert.

The Skoda Scala features the brand’s latest three- and four-cylinder engines, ranging from 1.0-litres to 1.6-litres, from 66kW to 110kW in power, matched to five- or six-speed manual, or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – we’d wager only the most powerful set up being offered locally when the car launches. All Scala models are front-wheel drive with a torsion-beam rear suspension set up, while adaptive dampers will be available as an option, as will a large panoramic glass roof with an electronically retracting sunblind.

The 2019 Skoda Scala will be arriving in Australia in early 2020, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then.

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