Skoda Scala test drive: high, high

Driving a new model from the Czech brand that inherits the Rapid

The successor to the rather humble Rapid has made no secret of its ambition. Skoda's compact model not only demonstrates the brand's usual trump cards in terms of practicality, interior space and value for money, but also has a pronounced emotional design.

Translated from Latin, "Scala" means "stairs. The choice of this name is a rather eloquent illustration of the intentions and ambitions of the Czech brand Mlada Boleslav in relation to the successor of the rather modest Rapid Spaceback in terms of technology and style.

The new Skoda model is a tangible step forward in the compact car class, and this discovery not only affects the growth of external dimensions, which are quite impressive in their own right. The length of the body has been increased by 60 millimeters and the width has increased by as much as 90 millimeters, which gives the Scala's overall posture and proportions a radically different, yet more massive and dynamic sound.

The design is a continuation of the already established philosophy of the brand's products with clear lines, clean surfaces and crystal lighting, but there are also a number of new features that bring freshness and personality.

Undoubtedly the most impressive among them are the plastic three-dimensional layout of the front grille and the huge, elongated dark panel on the rear window with a proud lettering with the brand name.

The idea is to develop the overall stylistic philosophy of Skoda in the same emotional vein in the coming years - something really different from the rather conservative design line that the Czechs have followed so far. It remains to be seen how the established clientele of the brand will look at this mechanism and how much heightened degree of emotion will penetrate the reserved territory of the Spaniards from Seat.

Practicality is not forgotten

It is very good that the engineers in Mlada Boleslav have not forgotten the classic crown disciplines of the brand and the new model. Typical in this regard is the fact that the Scala's interior is significantly more spacious than the VW Golf, although it uses the smaller Polo's design platform.

The Czech model is ten centimeters longer than Wolfsburg's timeless bestseller and offers a truly impressive luggage compartment - while the nominal volume of the Golf reaches only 380 litres, the Scala's trunk holds a whopping 467 litres.

Rear seat passengers enjoy space comparable to that of the Octavia, while the leather and microfiber seats are impressive, provide good lateral support and are truly comfortable.

Those who wish can expand the standard equipment with a digital control unit, multimedia with online content and control of a number of functions using voice commands and gestures, and the basic version of Scala has all the standard electronic assistants for a modern person.

Whether the use of app-based navigation in a personal smartphone is the most convenient is controversial, but obviously in the future we will see more and more forms of such integration.

There isn't much news under the hood. The main power units are the well-known petrol 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI, as well as a 1,6-liter diesel unit with 115 hp. At the end of the year, a natural gas option with a maximum output of 90 hp will be added.

On the road, the Scala definitely goes beyond a model with a strong practical focus, and this is not surprising, because even in the diesel version it weighs about 1300 kilograms. Even the base three-cylinder 115bhp. fully capable of providing a good dose of dynamics.

Despite the slightly increased noise level, the internal combustion engine is able to provide the basis for pleasant dynamic behavior on the road, which is also facilitated by the precise operation of the six-speed manual transmission.

The chassis settings are generally comfortable and the steering responds accurately and quickly without overdoing it. The Scala sets the mood in high cornering areas, exhibits a late safe understeer tendency, and is calm and stable at high highway speeds.

Of course, sports enthusiasts are best off looking at the 150 PS four-cylinder TSI. and a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Well-chosen gear ratios correspond to the live thrust of the turbo engine, which, in addition to good dynamics, pleases the ear and has a very low noise level.

Those looking for extra driving excitement can take advantage of the optional Normal / Sport damping system and various driving modes. Special sports wheels up to 18 inches do a bit for comfort, but thanks to the ability to lower the ride height by 15 mm, the Scala is much faster in corners.

Conclusion

The Skoda Scala has managed to make the most of the VW Polo technology platform, and the result is truly impressive in terms of form and content. Scala looks great, can be packed with everything useful and modern in the field of security and multimedia.

The car has a spacious passenger and luggage compartment and demonstrates a good balance between dynamics and comfort on the road. Prices will remain at a decent level, although not as low as that of its modest predecessor.