It’s been known for some time that Skoda is at work on a replacement for their Rapid, which seems to be evolving to a 5-door only hatch comparable to a Golf from parent company Volkswagen. The Czech automaker did offer the Spaceback as an alternative to the four-door Jetta-based Rapid sedan, and this new car seems to be carrying over its longer wheelbase and almost wagon-like proportions.
Called the Scala, it is presumed to be in development alongside the 8th generation Volkswagen Golf, built on the group’s MQB platform. Over the measurements of a typical hatch, the Scala will be longer and slightly taller than most, offering more cargo carrying capacity and versatility as a result, like the Rapid that it will eventually replace.
Following the teasers and the Vision RS Concept from the Frankfurt Motor Show that’s meant to be a hot version of this, the forthcoming normal-spec Scala will indeed incorporate new exterior and interior cues and elements that reflect the company’s new design language. And though the car previewed here has almost all of its surface area covered in camouflage, a general sense of its aesthetics are rather easy to discern.
Skoda will be harping on the Scala’s class-leading interior space as a major selling point, again careful to tread on potential sales of its sister brands Volkswagen and Seat’s Leon hatch. It seems only natural that refinement and technology be the other tentpole in its pursuit to seemingly steal back some would-be or former crossover owners.
Upon launch, it will be powered by a variety of familiar all-turbocharged TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines but will also include a more eco-friendly natural gas-powered engine option in certain markets. - all ranging between 66kW to 110kW. Full LED headlights and tail lights could also make it in as standard kit, and the Scala is intending to be one of the most comprehensively equipped cars in its class in terms of passive and active safety features.
Time will tell just how successful the Scala will be to Skoda’s pursuit to merge the driving ease of a hatchback with the practicality of a station wagon as well as how emotive the company’s new design language is in the real world and in production form. But it is looking promising so far.
Bernhard Maier, ŠKODA CEO, said, “With the new ŠKODA SCALA we are opening a new chapter in the ŠKODA compact car segment. It is a completely new product which sets benchmarks in this segment with regards to technology, safety and design. The SCALA perfectly embodies the ŠKODA‑typical smart understatement. We are convinced that the SCALA has the best chance to redefine ŠKODA’s A-car segment.”
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