12 December 2018
4 Mins read

New Skoda Scala to rival Golf and Focus from first half of 2019

Skoda has unveiled a new family-sized hatchback, due to launch here in the first half of 2019.

The Skoda Scala will face some mighty competition when it does enter showrooms, with mega-selling titans like the VW Golf and Ford Focus considered to be its main rivals.

Size-wise, it will slot between the Fabia supermini and Octavia saloon in Skoda's range, with prices expected to start from around £16,500.

Stretching for 4,362mm, the Scala is over 10cm longer than a Golf, but 30cm shorter than an Octavia. Much of its inner workings are borrowed from smaller cars across the VW Group, like the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, most notably its A0 underpinnings – the smallest version of the VW Group’s MQB platform which also features in the Audi A3 and SEAT Leon.

Stylistically, the Scala’s profile and general look isn’t too far from that of the Fabia but it pulls in some design flair from the Vision RS concept, like the nose and the angled headlights.

The engine range from launch will consist of three petrols: a single-litre three-pot unit developing 94bhp or 114bhp, as well as a more powerful 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder option with cylinder deactivation to benefit fuel return. There’s only the one diesel: a 1.6-litre unit with 114bhp.

The entry-level petrol unit comes linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, but all the others are offered with a six-speed version or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

It’ll excel in practicality too, with a 467-litre boot – the largest in the segment, beating the Focus’ 341 litres and the 380 litres in the Golf.

Skoda chief executive Bernhard Maier believes the new Scala marks the beginning of “a new chapter in Skoda’s compact car range”.

He said: “It is an all-new model that sets benchmarks within its segment in terms of technology, safety and design. We’re convinced that the Scala has the best chance of redefining the segment for Skoda.”

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