* DECEMBER MOTORING: Skoda Scala Monte Carlo

The Skoda Scala Monte Carlo is a fine car, beautifully engineered and well put together.  However, in an age of hybrids and ever-increasing sales of pure electric cars, together at last with plentiful charging places, it is something of a throwback writes Malcolm Ginsberg.

The test car was manual and petrol-powered.  TNU’s November Motoring gave the car an honourable mention in the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Regional Test Day report, although Skoda did not participate.  It was my transport to Oakley Hall and possibly a final road test having reached the 80-year-old insurance cut-off date that most manufacturers’ press fleet managers have to deal wirh.

I am happy to announce that a young(er) fellow Guild of Motoring Writers member, Yorkshireman George Loveridge, will be contributing in the future, and readers may recall his clearly well-received Renault review in BTN. 
https://driving-around.yolasite.com  www.btnews.co.uk/article/18943

Skoda is part of the Volkswagen (VW) family which also includes Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, and at a more mundane level, Spain’s SEAT.

Why the normally conservative company, based in the Czech Republic, decided on the somewhat exotic title for what is a well-equipped, roomy five-door family saloon that matches or betters most competitors in its class is beyond me.  It is built on the current VW Polo platform, like the VW Golf, and has surpassingly more cabin space, and is cheaper.

The test car came with a blue metallic finish and black tailgate, panoramic roof, sports seats and LED  headlights plus 18-inch Vega alloy wheels also in black.  It does stand out, but not in Monte Carlo, and a list price of £27,425 could not cover the extras on an aforementioned Lamborghini. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder pushes out a healthy 148bhp, offers around 45mpg and a perfectly respectable 0 to 62mph dash in 8.2 seconds.  According to the brochure the top speed is an astonishing 139mph!

In terms of handling, it is light with positive steering with little body roll around bends.  It is best described as a fine allrounder with a class leading spacious cabin that will satisfy the tallest of drivers and make sure that those sitting in the rear are happy too.  

Not really noticeable it has a long wheelbase which helps with the interior space, and whilst it is narrower than some rivals, that makes little difference to the driver's comfort, nor his passengers.

Luggage room is plentiful for a car of this size and the back seats lie down in usual 60-40 fashion expanding the load space from 467 litres to a generous 1,410 litres.  However a lip on the rear makes loading awkward.  There are also plenty of bins, cubbies and places to absorb family clutter.  Privacy glass is provided.  

The 9.2-inch central digital screen displays most of the important information and performs all the usual functions including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.  The sat nav is repeated in front of the driver and is very clear.  Two front USB plug points are provided at the front but nothing in the rear.  There is climate-controlled air conditioning.

What used to be extras are now included in the price, the only options fitted being the smart paintwork (£660), a very useful electrically operated rear tailgate (£465), heated front seats (£265), plus back sensors (not really needed with a rear-view camera). Included is an umbrella hidden in the front door, a ticket holder on the windscreen and an ice-scraper inside the fuel filler flap.  

I really liked this stylish car.  Pity there is not an automatic version.



Performance 8
Handling 8
Transmission 6
Noise 6
Economy 7
Ride and Comfort 8
Accommodation 7
Styling 8
Brakes 8
Finish 8
TOTAL = 76%

www.skoda.co.uk/new-cars/scala/monte-carlo

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READERS' COMMENT

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Simon Grigor, Harrow, United Kingdom

I've had a Skoda Rapid, the predecessor to the Scala, and have absolutely loved it. It is, however, approaching 100,000 miles and so Malcolm's review is very helpful in informing my thinking about its replacement - I was already thinking 'Scala', and this reconfirms that thought.