Attack on the Golf: The compact car Skoda Scala in the test

First impressions: bling-bling instead of cheap - the new Scala features chrome and LED lights, and the crystal-glass taillights are reminiscent of the whiskey swivels that served as a model for the headlights of the Continental GT.

That says the manufacturer: Skoda boss Bernhard Maier wants to know of the image of the brand as a price breaker nothing more. When he speaks of the Scala, the term "smart understatement" keeps falling over and over again. The car should already look good, but especially for the compact class set standards in terms of technology, security and design.

We noticed that: because of small cars. Although the Scala shares the platform with corporate models such as VW Polo or Audi A1, but has not much to do with the small car class. It towers over the VW Golf by more than ten centimeters, also offers noticeably more space on all seats - and has a larger trunk with 467 to 1410 liters.

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Also the ambience and the equipment fit to higher vehicle or price classes. Plastic consoles are softly foamed and covered with soft-touch lacquers. The army of assistance systems includes distance control and guidance, traffic sign recognition and emergency braking assistance. There are front, rear and in the interior standard LED light. The instruments work digitally, the touch screen is free and is always online. The computer can be operated partly with gestures and improved voice control.

Take a look inside the Skoda Scala - with our 360 degree photo:

The biggest difference to golf and co .: Scala may stand out in many disciplines - when driving it is only average. While the brand VW and others in the suspension tuning and under the hood to equip the race, makes Skoda not there. That's enough: The engines develop 150 hp and more, and the fastest Scala reaches 219 km / h in the top. The chassis is good-natured designed so that you do not necessarily rush through the curves - although the new Skoda has four driving profiles, one of which is quite sporty. Driving to arrive, and not for the sake of driving, is the motto. At least until possibly a potent RS model is submitted.

You have to know that: The Scala comes in May in the trade and starts first at 21,450 euros for a one-liter gasoline engine with 115 hp. Later, there is the three-cylinder engine in a 95 hp version with slimmed-down equipment for 17,350 euros. Third petrol engine is built in the test car four-cylinder with 1.5 liter displacement and 150 hp power.

In addition, Skoda has a diesel with 1.6 liters and 115 hp in the program. Because the cash registers are too short for 48-volt or real hybrid technology, Skoda wants to save the environment differently - and offers the Scala later with natural gas conversion.

One should not be fooled by the moderate prices: who ordered many of the beautiful extras, must quickly pay more than 30,000 euros.

We will not forget that: the bag hooks on the backrest. They can be removed after folding down the backrests so that the cargo bed is really level. Clever too, that you can measure the tire tread with the ice scraper. The smartest novelty is the container for the mop water under the hood. For the first time a fold-out funnel was integrated in the refill neck. That's awesome.

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