New Skoda Scala arrives to take on the VW Golf and Ford Focus

The new Skoda Scala arrives to replace the Rapid in Skoda’s range and take the fight to the VW Golf and Ford Focus. Launches in the first half of 2019.

Skoda has been busy teasing the replacement for the Rapid for a while, including a look at it with the Vision RS Concept in Paris, and now it’s here – the new Skoda Scala.

Underpinned by the A0 version of VW’s MQB Platform – which underpins the VW Polo – the Scala is actually a few inches longer than the VW Golf, a car it’s clearly taking a shot at (and the Ford Focus and more too).

You can still see the influences of the Vision RS Concept in the Scala, but, inevitably, it’s somewhat toned down for production in the Scala, looking like a conventional hatchback which rises from front to back, angled headlights, the latest Skoda grille and ‘SKODA’ spelt out on the back, even when you option the big glass rear screen.

Engine choice at launch will be a 1.0 litre three-cylinder petrol with 94bhp or 114bhp, a 1.45 litre petrol with 148bhp and a 1.6 litre diesel with 114bhp, with a five-speed manual only on the smallest petrol, a  six-speed manual on the rest of the range with a seven-speed DCT option.

Inside there’s the VW Group latest infotainment with a range of touchscreen sizes depending on model, a built-in SIM for 4G connectivity, optional digital instruments, quality soft-touch materials, metallic trim and contrast stitching on the seats.

Trim options will be S, SE and SE L, and starting price is probably going to be a notch under £17k when the Scala arrives in the UK next year.

New Skoda Scala Photo Gallery