New Skoda Scala Unveiled — Will It Come To India?

The new hatchback comes with what Skoda calls ‘a more emotional' design language. It borrows design and styling cues from the Vision RS Concept, displayed at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year.

Some of the specific styling cues borrowed from the concept are the all-glass rear window, instead of the conventional tail-gate. The Scala also comes with the ‘Skoda' text written on the back, in place of the company logo (first Skoda model to offer this). This has been specifically done to help differentiate the brand in markets where the company is not well known.

The all-new Skoda Scala is 4,362mm in length, 1,793mm in width and 1,471mm in height. It also comes with a wheelbase 2,649mm and has the largest boot space in the segment with 467-litres. The boot space can further be extended to 1,410-litres with the rear seats folded down.

The Skoda Scala further comes with optional full-LED headlights and taillights. The Scala is also the first compact hatchback to offer rear dynamic indicators. The Scala also comes with the optional Simply Clever feature; an electronically retractable tow bar hidden beneath the rear bumper.

Other features also include Skoda's typical umbrella compartment, an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap and the optional electric tailgate, which includes top-to-close function.

The Skoda Scala will be available in three trim levels - S, SE and SE L. All these variants will come with a number of driver assist functions and a host of other features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, rear-view camera and automatic park assist.

Other features, yet to be confirmed on the Skoda Scala: keyless entry, wireless smartphone charging and remote door unlocking via a smartphone app.

Skoda will also offer a sports chassis on the new Scala, which will reduce the ride height by 15mm. This sportier version will also offer four driving modes for better throttle response and steering.

Inside, the Skoda Scala comes with an all-new cabin featuring new materials. This includes microfibre fabric for the seats and soft foam surfaces on the dashboard. The Scala hatchback also comes with a 9.2-inch modular touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit customisable between five different views.

The International-spec Skoda Scala will be powered by four engine options - two 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel unit. The 1.0-litre petrol engine will come with two states-of-tune producing 99bhp and 115bhp; the 1.5-litre petrol produces 150bhp and the lone 1.6-litre diesel unit churns out 115bhp.

All four power units will come mated to a five or six-speed manuals, with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission also on offer.

Thoughts On The All-New Skoda Scala

Skoda is still gauging if the Scala is a viable product for the Indian market. Currently, the Czech brand has taken the lead of the India operations from Volkswagen and is looking at heavy localisation of the MQB A0 platform. Currently, the first product from the new platform to enter the Indian market will be the Volkswagen T-Cross SUV.