The Scala is an indirect replacement for the Rapid bringing a new name and an entirely new game to the mid-sized hatchback category – SKODA’s first real foray into this range – which will see it going head-to-head with some of Britain’s best-selling models such as the Ford Focus, Kia Ceed and Volkswagen Golf.
While actual facts on the Scala are still very much up in the air, one thing we do know is that it’ll be available with the same range of engines currently offered in the Volkswagen Polo, however it’s unlikely that a diesel option will be on offer.
Mid-range Scalas will likely be fitted with a 115hp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that’ll get the car from 0-62mph in around 11 seconds and return fuel economy of around 60mpg. Higher up the range you can expect to find the 1.5-litre petrol that’s already fitted to the Skoda Octavia. It can turn off half its cylinders when their extra power isn’t needed to save fuel – allowing for economy of 55mpg, even though the car can get from 0-62mph in around eight seconds. The SKODA Scala is set to come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox while a seven-speed automatic will likely be optional.
It's important to understand where the Scala fits in. You get a lot of car for the money and the size of the car looks like this:
Length: 4362mm
Width: 1793mm (without door mirrors)
Height: 1471mm
Wheelbase: 2649mm
There’s a fantastic amount of room inside the car given its footprint. Four generously proportioned adults fit with ease, with lots of leg and headroom.
The boot measures an impressive 467 litres (a lowly Focus manages 375) and features a false floor that makes for either a flat loading surface with storage underneath or the deepest possible area behind the 60:40-splitting rear seats.
There’s not long to wait, either. Sales are due to start in April/May 2019 and we expect prices to start off at around £16,000.
