Skoda has revealed the name of its upcoming entry
into the European compact hatch segment. The Skoda Scala will be a replacement
for the Rapid Spaceback, competing in a class with stalwarts such as the
Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Opel/Vauxhall Astra. Also playing in this field
are the Renault Megane, Peugeot 308, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Hatchback,
Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed.
The Scala name derives from the Latin word ‘scala’
which means ‘stairs’, and is a step forward for the Czech carmaker in the
segment. Skoda will be looking to do better than the Rapid with the Scala. Skoda says that the Scala presents its
new “emotional” exterior and interior design language – as seen on the Vision
RS concept from Paris 2018 – for the first time in production form.
Due to surface before the end of 2018, the Scala
will be the first Skoda to utilise the VW Group’s A0 MQB platform, which
already underpins the Volkswagen T-Roc and Seat Ibiza. The next-gen Fabia, set
for release in 2020, and Skoda’s upcoming junior SUV will also use the same
platform, according to Autocar.
