Why launch a family hatchback in Tel Aviv?
For Skoda, choosing Israel's second city as the debut location for the all-new Scala makes a lot of sense: the area is home to more than 6,500 technology startups, placing it second only to Silicon Valley as the largest global startup scene.
Two of the Scala's biggest plays to attract a younger, more connected audience are its new technology and an upgraded infotainment system, so it fits right in. But more importantly, all this new-to-the-Volkswagen Group hardware is appearing on a Skoda first.
The Volkswagen Group tends to shuffle which brands get to introduce new metal and platforms in various market segments on a regular basis, but it's unusual for Skoda to be given first dibs on new technology. Normally Volkswagen would lead the charge itself, but the group's third-generation infotainment system makes its debut here instead.
The Scala is also the first with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay (admittedly as an option rather than as standard), which means no more having to remember to pack a cable if you want to connect your phone to your car. It will be always-connected, too, so you'll be able to remotely lock the doors or check where you parked using your smartphone, before you will on any VW or Seat. Even the humble USB port is dead, as far as the Scala's cockpit is concerned: it's the ultra-modern USB-C all the way (don't worry, adaptors are available).
Letting what was traditionally seen as a budget brand pioneer this kind of equipment is a bold move - but it's also a smart way to make Skoda appeal to a more mainstream market. After all, the company wants to sell twice as many Scala across Europe Skoda as it did the Rapid, and achieving that will mean competing with giants like the Ford Focus and VW's own Volkswagen Golf. Giving it some standout tech helps it stand out in ways a Simply Clever ice scraper hidden in the fuel filler cap simply can't.
Right now, Skoda won't be your first thought as the maker of high-tech interiors, electric powertrains and autonomous cars. But that should change by 2020, when the company is plotting to have nine electric models on sale. A volume seller like the Scala seems as good a place as any to start turning that perception around.
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2019 Skoda Scala: all-new family hatchback revealed
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Yes - but arent they launching a car called the 'Anuq?'
Now there's a name to conjure with ;-D
Eseaton and Peter - phones
I dont have a car even
I dont have a car even remotely capable of this but out of interest when using google maps with live traffic is it all data based using 4g signal as opposed to satellite for location and mapping? The reason I ask is the lack of aerial and just wondering if it uses large amounts of your data package to perform this?
I don't understand the bit
I don't understand the bit about wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play meaning you no longer need to pack a cable to connect your phone to your car.
Isn't that what Bluetooth has been letting us do for the last 10 years?
Most manufacturers only offer
Most manufacturers only offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as wired connections, as there's simply not enough bandwidth available in a Bluetooth signal to transfer the necessary amount of data between the phone and the car's infotainment system.
Re- Android..
I been an Android phone user for years, in my last two Cars I’ve used (BMW) never been toldtheres any issue, one was a 2010 Car the other 2017 model, both three series, the phones work fine, never had any issues, why is there so many now being talked about?, why can’t all makers install both?