Skoda lifts stop-sale order on Scala and Kamiq

Skoda Australia has confirmed the new Scala hatch plus an additional variant of the Kamiq small SUV will finally hit showrooms this month after lifting a stop-sale order in Australia.

The Czech car-maker voluntarily imposed the stop-sale on both vehicles last year after discovering Australian-specification cars were displaying an error message upon start-up.

carsales has learned the fault was associated with an airbag signal that erroneously confused the seven-airbag layout with that of some overseas markets, which have different configurations.

The fault has delayed the Australian debut of Skoda’s new Corolla fighter by eight months while local technicians worked on a solution with their overseas counterparts.

“Skoda’s Scala and Kamiq 110TSI have been on stop sale due to an error message that appeared during initial start-up,” a Skoda Australia spokesman said.

“The cause was a delay in the airbag signal reaching the engine control unit. It didn’t show on restarting the car. Even though there was no mechanical fault, Skoda would not sell the cars until the glitch was solved.”

Skoda has confirmed the first examples of the Scala 110TSI will begin touching down in showrooms in the coming weeks. Pricing will be unchanged from the original announcement in April last year, with a starting figure of $26,990 drive-away.

Meanwhile, a more powerful variant of the Kamiq range, known as the Skoda Kamiq 110TSI, will be available from $36,990 drive-away. It will join the existing Kamiq 85TSI that first arrived in October.

The Scala arrives in showrooms bearing the same styling treatment as the Skoda Kodiaq, Karoq and Superb. It replaces the Skoda Rapid within the Czech car-maker’s Australian line-up and will do battle with the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Ford Focus.

Three variants of the Scala will be offered: the Skoda Scala 110TSI, Skoda Scala Monte Carlo and Skoda Scala Launch Edition.

Each shares the same 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder that shuffles drive to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The entry 110TSI is also offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

Pricing for the range begins at $27,690 for the Scala 110TSI manual — though Skoda Australia will initially launch the entry model at $26,990 drive-away. The automatic version adds $2000 to the drive-away cost but only $1000 to the RRP.

Equipment levels are extensive, with full LED tail-lights with dynamic (strobing) rear indicators, 18-inch alloy wheels and tinted window and an automatic tailgate among the standard features. The safety suite follows similar thinking with Front Assist, Lane Assist and adaptive cruise control standard kit.

The cabin features the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous Virtual Cockpit display, comprising a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, paired with an 8.0-inch colour touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Underlining the cabin’s push upmarket is red ambient lighting.

Being a Skoda, the Scala naturally offers clever sweeteners such as wireless charging, reversible rubber/fabric luggage compartment mat and a boot package that includes netting and bag hooks.

Next in the line-up is the Skoda Scala Monte Carlo at $33,390 plus on-road costs (initially being offered at $33,990 drive-away).

The Monte Carlo adds a larger 9.2-inch touch-screen, signature red styling, sports seats and panoramic roof.

At the top of the line-up resides the Skoda Scala Launch Edition at $34,690 plus on-road costs ($35,990 drive-away for first buyers).

The flagship adds leather-appointed trim and wireless Smartlink connectivity.

Top-spec Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo and Limited Edition variants join the existing Kamiq 85 TSI powered by a bigger, more powerful 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (110TSI) and are seven-speed DSG auto-only.

As with all Kamiq grades, interior features include dual-zone climate control, ambient cabin lighting, a digital instrument panel (virtual cockpit), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, an eight-speaker audio system, keyless entry, automatic powered tailgate and a sporty flat-bottom leather steering wheel with lots of buttons.

All Skoda Kamiq variants also come with a high level of safety features, such as lane assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, seven airbags, fatigue detection, reversing camera, rear parking sensors and rear manoeuver braking assist.

Exterior upgrades for 110TSI models involve unique 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights with cornering and fog lights, dynamic front indicators, sports suspension that lowers the SUV by 15mm and adds a drive select mode, plus a black pack (wing mirror caps, grille edging, rear badges, rear diffuser).

Inside, there are upgraded leather/suedia seats, an upgraded and larger 9.2-inch touch-screen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats plus an autonomous parking assistant and front parking sensors.

How much does the 2021 Skoda Scala cost?
110TSI Manual – $27,690
110TSI DSG – $28,690
Monte Carlo DSG – $33,390
Launch Edition DSG – $34,690
* Prices exclude on-road costs

How much does the Skoda Kamiq cost?
85TSI manual – $26,990
85TSI auto – $27,990
110TSI Monte Carlo auto – $34,190
110TSI Limited Edition auto – $35,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs