Skoda Scala

Škoda Scala at a glance

Name, concept and launch

Škoda announced the name on 15 October 2018. According to the maker, "scala" is Latin for stairs or ladder. Working names during the four-year development had included Felicia and Spaceback. The Vision RS concept at the 2018 Paris Motor Show previewed the design, and the world premiere took place in Tel Aviv on 6 December 2018.

The online configurator opened in January 2019, production started in February and official sales in May 2019. The Scala won a Red Dot product design award in March 2019. In an Auto Bild comparison published in July 2019 it finished ahead of the Mazda3, the Ford Focus and the Golf Mk7.

Technology and chassis

The Scala was the first Škoda with a built-in SIM card and permanent 4G connection. This allows remote unlocking by smartphone and automatic map updates. It also introduced a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel and a 9.2-inch centre screen to the range.

The cheaper MQB A0 platform means a torsion beam rear axle instead of a multi-link layout. The optional Sport Chassis Control lowers the body by 15 mm and adds dampers with two settings, Normal and Sport. Driver aids include a blind spot monitor that sees vehicles up to 70 m away, lane assist, front assist and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 facelift

The update was shown in August 2023 together with the Kamiq. The sheet metal stayed the same, according to Autonotizen.de. The changes were:

• a reshaped grille and sharper bumpers, plus a sportier body kit inspired by the Vision RS;
• optional matrix LED headlights for the first time;
• new colours and wheels, a new climate control panel and more recycled materials;
• three trim lines (Essence, Selection, Monte Carlo) and more standard equipment;
• the stronger 1.0 TSI went from 81 kW (110 PS) to 85 kW (115 PS), and the diesel was not offered any more.

Engines and performance

The 1.6 MPI appears in the Wikipedia engine table without a market; the ADAC price list of the facelift does not include it. Autonotizen.de tested the natural-gas G-TEC in June 2020. It needed 12.4 seconds to 100 km/h, against 10.9 seconds for the comparable petrol TSI, and reached 182 km/h. The on-board computer showed 5.0 kg of CNG per 100 km.

Scala G-TEC: natural gas

The G-TEC carries 13.8 kg of compressed natural gas and a 9-litre petrol tank as a reserve. The gas tanks reduce the boot from 467 to 339 litres. In the June 2020 test the fuel cost was €5.50 per 100 km on CNG and €8.75 per 100 km for a petrol TSI, at Munich prices of that time.

Scala compared with the Kamiq

• The Scala is 121 mm longer than the Kamiq crossover and 82 mm lower, and its boot holds 67 l more.
• Wikipedia notes that its wheelbase is 12 mm longer than that of the Golf, even though the Scala uses the smaller platform.
• Within the range, the 1.5 TSI has 57 percent more power than the 1.0 TSI 95 (110 against 70 kW) and 43 percent more torque (250 against 175 Nm).

Safety and reliability

Euro NCAP tested a 1.0 TSI Ambition in 2019. The car scored 97 percent for adult occupants, 87 percent for children, 81 percent for pedestrians and 76 percent for safety assistance. ANCAP adopted the same result.

ADAC records breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles by year of registration. Cars from 2019 had 6.5, from 2020 6.4, from 2021 5.0, from 2022 4.3 and from 2023 3.7.

Prices in Germany

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