The facelifted Scala and Kamiq models come straight away in Monte Carlo with a sporty touch. Sophisticated design details add style and ferocity to the cars, with sports seats, adjustable ambient lighting and other stylish details such as sports seats. All these elements point to the successful and rich history of the Škoda brand in the famous rally.
The popular Škoda Scala and Kamiq models have undergone a facelift to further enhance their character. While the design changes to the Kamiq have boosted its confident look, the Scala now also makes stronger reference to the 2018 Vision RS concept thanks to its narrower headlights. Both new models have received a redesigned bonnet, for example. The Kamiq's is more pronounced and uses new double vertical fins, while the Scala's grille relies more on the play of light and shadow and has a sharper character. This is particularly evident in the Monte Carlo version of both models, with a black painted bonnet frame and additional black details.
Both the compact hatchback and the city SUV get LED headlamps as standard, with the option of Matrix-LED headlamps allowing the driver to leave the high beams on at night without worrying about dazzling others which is prevented by smart technology.
Customers can choose from a total of four interior designs for both cars, with the sporty Monte Carlo version reserved for the eponymous models. The Scala and Kamiq Monte Carlo will now be available from the outset following the facelift. This trim not only features a number of traditional gloss black exterior painted details, but also interior upholstery in Carbon faux leather, for example. Both the Scala and Kamiq can have one of the fuel-efficient and proven TSI power plants under the bonnet, with outputs ranging from 70 to 110 kW, and a virtual cockpit (8 inches, optionally 10.25 inches) and modern infotainment (8.25 or 9.2 inches) are standard, as well as revised climate control with mechanical rotary controls. There are also a number of Simply Clever features included. New to the segment is the optional so-called virtual pedal, a solution for easy, hands-free opening of the luggage compartment.
For fans of more dynamic driving, the Monte Carlo version features Sport Chassis Control with a choice of two levels of damper stiffness and a lowered chassis. On the Scala, this is a reduction of 15 mm, which is particularly beneficial for the stability of the car at higher speeds. Even on a standard ground clearance chassis, the Scala is an excellently balanced and composed car, and the lower setting further enhances this good foundation. On the Kamiq, the chassis is lowered by 10 mm. This crossover retains its ability to drive comfortably on poor road surfaces, where the dampers can filter out bumps in an exemplary manner even in Sport mode.
Glorious history
The Monte Carlo versions, which Škoda now also offers on the Fabia in addition to the facelifted Scala and Kamiq models refer to the famous racing history of the Mladá Boleslav cars in the famous Monte Carlo Rally. The marking has already been used on Škoda cars for 87 years. In 1936, the Pohl/Hausmann crew with the Škoda Popular Sport succeeded in the then long-distance Monte Carlo Rally, finishing second in the under 1,500 cc class. Škoda therefore prepared a special Popular Monte Carlo model as part of the celebrations, which is now one of the brand's most collectible cars.
However, more successes in the famous rally have come with the years and the closer the connection between the Škoda brand and the name of the competition is today. From 1961 to 1963, the Škoda Octavia dominated the under 1300cc class, always with a Nordic driver at the wheel (twice the Finnish crew of Esko Keinänen/Rainer Eklund, then the Norwegian duo of Edward Gjolberg and Carl Karlan). In 1977, on the winding and often ice and snow-covered roads above the Principality of Monaco, the Škoda 130 RS cars took the double victory in the class up to 1,300 cc, Václav Blahna and Lubislav Hlávka being the first, Milan Zapadlo and Jiří Motal the second. In the overall standings, the fastest Škoda car took a great 12th place.
Four consecutive class victories between 1991 and 1994 were claimed by Pavel Sibera and Petr Gross, always behind the wheel of the Favorit 136 L. Then the Škoda Felicia Kit Car reigned supreme, in 1996 Sibera and Gross won their class again and a year later the duo Emil Triner / Julius Gál even managed to win in the entire F2 category.
And most recently, the Škoda Fabia R5 (later Rally2) reigns supreme in Monte Carlo. Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jaeger scored their first WRC2 victory in 2017, followed a year later by Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler. Mikkelsen then repeated his victory in 2021 and 2022 with the Fabia Rally2 evo. The Monte Carlo name is therefore carried proudly by the production Škoda models with a sporting touch.
