Skoda has already announced that it is working towards introducing an SUV in India around 2020, under its 2.0 strategy, which will be followed by a sedan that is expected to give a fillip to its operations in the country. Apart from those two models, the Czech carmaker is also evaluating the launch of the newly unveiled large hatchback, the Scala, for our market.
“We will start with cars that are being developed specifically for India (as part of 2.0 strategy) and then look at more models for the Indian market and the new Scala could be one of them,” Skoda Auto CEO Bernhard Maier told Autocar India at the global debut of the Scala.
The company is currently gauging market feedback on the car and if it makes it to our market, it will be as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unit. The carmaker is not focusing on price – the Scala will not qualify for tax breaks as it measures over 4m in length – or even volume, but instead will be a brand builder for Skoda.
The Scala will be positioned above the Rapid in India and to make it more appealing, it will be launched only with the most powerful motor in its range, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol that puts out 150hp and 250Nm of torque. For international markets, the Scala can be had with a 1.0-litre petrol in 95hp and 115hp states of tune, a 115hp, 1.6 diesel or a CNG-powered motor.
The new Scala is the first Skoda to be based on Volkswagen Group’s state-of-the-art MQB A0 platform. It is developed completely new from the ground up and debuts Skoda’s bold new design language. It is even similar in look and proportion to the striking Vision RS concept car. The interior is all-new with a few notable features that include an up to 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch display that can be configured with Virtual Cockpit, wireless internet and voice or gesture commands. The Scala can even be locked or unlocked remotely.
So would you like to see the Scala on Indian roads? And would you pay sedan money for a plus size hatchback? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also see:
New Skoda Scala hatchback unveiled