Summarize

Now why are we telling you about the new Scala?

We’d normally never tell you anything about a Škoda, but a little birdie tells us that this brand may well soon become far more relevant in a South African sense. The Czech automobile manufacturer was founded in 1895 and eventually became part of the Volkswagen Group 105 years later in the year 2000. 

Now there seems to be every chance the brand is headed to SA. Yes, we also wondered about that following the Seat debacle when VW’s Spanish brand came to and left SA within a couple of years not all that long ago, but who knows — where there is smoke…?

Something of an entry level to the VW brand portfolio, Škoda is also the second most profitable of all VW Group badges after Porsche and if there is indeed fire to this story, then this new Scala may very well be of interest to our readers after all, so here’s a little info on the newcomer.

Scala is being launched in right hand drive in two 70 and 80kW litre three-pot petrols, a feisty 110kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and an 85kW 1.6-litre diesel, all turning either five or six-speed manuals, with all except the 70kW version having the option of a seven-speed DSG auto.

An entry-level S trim package enjoys standard 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, leather steering wheel and a height-adjustable driver’s seat; air conditioning, DAB radio, and a 6.5in infotainment display, while SE adds cruise control, parking sensors, an 8.0in touchscreen and passenger seat height adjuster and SE L ups to a 9.2in touchscreen, climate control, keyless entry, start/stop, head-up display and microsuede upholstery, with 17in alloys, LED rear lights and tinted rear glass.

Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB A0 platform it shares with the the Seat Ibiza and forthcoming VW T-Roc, nobody is saying anything official yet, but if that vine delivers any grapes, Scala could very well be among the surprises should Škoda actually come to South Africa....