Skoda Scala Previews Future Skoda India Cars, Unveil On December 6

• The Skoda Scala hatchback will slot in between the Fabia hatchback and Octavia sedan in European markets.
• While not headed to India, the Scala previews exterior and interior design themes for future Skoda models, including a compact SUV
• The Skoda Scala is based on the new MQB-A0 platform, which will also underpin localised Skoda models assembled in India

Skoda has showcased a sketch of the fancy interior of the upcoming Scala hatchback. Based on the MQB-A0 platform, the Scala will slot in between the company’s smallest car, the Fabia hatchback, and its entry-level sedan, the Octavia. The Skoda Scala will be unveiled for international markets at a special event in Tel Aviv, Israel on 6 December 2018.

The sketch shows a futuristic dashboard design whose centrepiece is the all-digital interface. This includes the optional virtual-cockpit instrument cluster, first introduced by fellow VW group brand Audi in 2014, along with the standard large free-standing multimedia screen.

Also Read: The Skoda Octavia now gets a virtual cockpit all-digital instrument cluster! Click here for details

Shown: Interior of the 2018 Skoda Vision RS Concept

Skoda is also highlighting the fact that the car will wow occupants with a lot of features. It has a spacious cabin, says Skoda, thanks to a 2,649mm wheelbase (1mm less than the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz) that frees up as much rear legroom as in the Octavia. Thanks to the large dimensions, there’s a 467-litre boot with the rear seats up, which can be extended up to 1,410 litres!

Shown: Interior of the 2018 Skoda Vision RS Concept

The ‘emotive’ design inside takes inspiration from the Skoda Vision RS, which was first showcased at the Paris Motor Show. The design has some ergonomic touches too. For instance, the part below the centre screen is contoured to form a natural wrist-rest to help use the touchscreen comfortably as well as the soft-foam surfaces on the dashboard and door trims, which will become standard across new Skoda cars. There’s also a choice of ‘Seudia microfibre’ upholstery, contrast stitching and twin-colour ambient lighting.

The Skoda Scala will always be online thanks to an inbuilt LTE-enabled SIM-card, allowing users to lock/unlock the car with their phones, get over-the-air software updates for the infotainment system. This always-online feature also allows for a one-touch emergency assistance or automatic service reminders. Active driver-assistance systems are also a highlight of the new Scala, including an enhanced blind-spot detection system which monitors vehicles are far as 70 metres way, lane assist, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency brake assist and automatic park assist.

Earlier, Skoda had revealed the Scala’s exterior design, albeit in full camouflage. The photos and videos showed a large hatchback with a sculpted body design and elements seen on the RS Vision Concept, like a new grille, new logo at the front, full-LED headlights and LED taillights with dynamic indicators. The Scala will be the first car to feature a Land Rover-like Skoda lettering on the boot, a feature which will become a signature design feature on all future Skoda cars.

The Skoda Scala will not be launched in India. Why did we tell you all the details above then? Well, it is the first car ever to be based on the Volkswagen group’s MQB-A0 platform, which will underpin future VW and Skoda cars to be developed, assembled and sold in India. Therefore, it previews the design, chassis, engines and features which will make their way to Indian cars too. Skoda has confirmed that the platform and features shown on the Scala will be used on a new compact-SUV they have planned for the Indian market.

The Scala will have a roster of five engines, all Euro 6d-TEMP emission complaint, including three petrol motors, one diesel motor and even a CNG/petrol engine. All the engines will be turbocharged and will feature direct injection along with start/stop systems and brake energy recovery tech for improved efficiency and lower emissions.

Scala is Latin for stairs/ladders and Skoda says this car will be the stepping stone for a better future. Will it also mark an improvement in fortunes for the company in India? We will have to wait till 2019 to find out.