Skoda goes upscale with Scala compact hatchback

Skoda is going upscale in Europe's compact car segment with the Scala hatchback, which will go on sale in the first half of next year.
The Scala replaces the Rapid to slot below the brand's Octavia. Its safety and driver assistance equipment, and design, give the hatchback a much more upmarket position than the Rapid, which was sold as a budget model.
Technology available will include radar-controlled adaptive cruise control and parent Volkswagen Group’s ‘virtual cockpit’ screen in place of dials.
Updates to the car’s infotainment system and satellite navigation can be delivered over the air (OTA) via the built-in SIM card, which connects to the Internet.
The Scala is the first Skoda to be built on the VW Group’s MQB A0 platform, which the Czech brand is now in charge of developing. The use of the platform enabled Skoda to incorporate the latest technology.
“MQB allows new assistance systems which have so far only been available in higher vehicle segments,” said Skoda’s head of technical development, Christian Strube.