Compact hatchback buyers in Europe looking for a
spacious and modern new car now have one more option courtesy of Skoda, who
launched the Scala earlier this month as a direct rival to the likes of the
Ford Focus, VW Golf, Opel/Vauxhall Astra and so on. It’s a fully fledged C-Segment
car that replaces the Rapid and offering similar interior dimensions to the
Octavia to go with one of the biggest luggage compartments in the segment.
Since the Scala is a brand new Euro hatch, it wasn’t
long after its unveiling that people began thinking about potential new
versions, such as a Scala RS, which could work as a cheaper alternative to the
Golf GTI. In fact, such a rendering was put together by the same designer
(Aksyonov Nikita) who now envisioned the Scala as a more rugged product, naming
it the ‘Cross’ – although since this is Skoda, a more realistic moniker would
have been the ‘Scout’.
The additional body cladding elements such as the
new front and rear bumpers, side sills and fender guards look spot on. It also
gets additional ground clearance, which definitely makes it more realistic
given its nature.
Unfortunately, the Czech automaker hasn’t announced
any official plans to expand the Scala range yet, although a more capable version
cannot be ruled out seen as how the old Rapid Spaceback was at one point
available with a ScoutLine accessory package.
