New Skoda Scala cabin previewed

Skoda has revealed the ground-breaking interior of its all-new 2019 Skoda Scala, which will replace the current Rapid and rival cars like the Mazda3.

Set to be revealed in full later this year, the Skoda Scala will feature a radical new dashboard that significantly moves the game on from the current Rapid's dated cabin, as you can see in this design rendering released last night.

Sporting a more minimalist design, the new Skoda Scala interior is dominated by a large 9.2-inch tablet-style infotainment screen and a 10.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display.

The infotainment screen, claimed to be among the largest in its class, sits high in the dash and features the Volkswagen Group's latest tech, including smartphone-mirroring. The operating system can also be upgraded using over-the-air software.

As well as the new tech, the 2019 Skoda Scala will also incorporate higher-grade material in the cabin's construction, including new microfibre fabric for the seats, plus features usually associated with cars from the class above, such as full ambient interior lighting.

Claimed to set new standards in its class in terms of technology, safety and design, the Scala -- that's Latin for 'ladder' -- should firmly cement the small Skoda hatchback in the mainstream hatch class inhabited by volume players like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

The Skoda Scala is based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB chassis architecture and measures 4362mm long, 1793mm wide and stand 1471mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2659mm.

Those dimensions mean it will dwarf the current Volkswagen Golf with which it shares its platform, engines and tech, measuring in at 107mm longer, 30mm wider and 30mm higher.

Add in a 12mm longer wheelbase and the Skoda Scala should lead the class for passenger space.

Boot space is another highlight, with the Skoda Scala offering 467 litres of storage for your luggage -- 87 litres more than the closely related Golf.

Heavily inspired by the recent Skoda Vision RS concept that made its debut at the recent Paris motor show, the Scala is set to come with a striking new exterior design that will include full LED headlights and tail-lights incorporating dynamic indicators.

The small hatch will introduce novel options from vehicle classes above, including an electrically retractable tow hook, umbrellas stored in the front doors and an electric tailgate.

In markets like Europe, the Skoda Scala will come with up to five engines including a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder (offering either 70kW or 85kW), a 110kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo and a highly efficient 85kW 1.6-litre turbo-diesel.

Unusually for the small-car segment, all Scala models will be available with a new Sport Chassis that reduces the ride height by 15mm and introduces adaptive dampers.

The Scala also gets new driver-assistance aids. These include a blind spot detection system that can detect obscured vehicles up to 70m away — far further than current systems that only pick up objects 20m away.

There’s also rear traffic alert and an active cruise control system that can steer, accelerate and brake at speeds up to 210km/h.

Ensuring it’s among the safest in its class, the Skoda Scala will also come with up to nine airbags and the ability to shut the windows and tension the seat belts if the car thinks an accident is about to occur.

Skoda will unveil the 2019 Scala before the end of 2018.