Skoda Scala Monte Carlo (2023)

THERE is always something for which to be grateful even when things go bust.

So if you are going to have a blow-out then at least make sure you do so where the view is glorious and you are within striking distance of a café.

Bang! Unfortunately the puddle in the road is hiding a pothole so deep it could have been caused by an asteroid. The reverberations are still running up and down my spine when the warning light appears on the Skoda’s dashboard telling me I have a puncture.

Thankfully, I’m in the Lake District with the perfect view of Windermere and after pulling into Low Wood Marina, the family is safely dispatched to the hotel and spa over the road to get themselves hot drinks and bring hapless dad a takeaway mocha. Deep breathes, enjoy the panorama, taste the chocolatey coffee; life is good.

Other reasons to be thankful soon begin to emerge. The Scala has a spare tyre, a rare commodity nowadays, and not an ineffectual inflater kit like most vehicles. It’s more than a skinny space-saver too and at a glance looks full size, though it is a tad smaller than the remaining three wheels. Hurrah, I can change the wheel and we can be on our way.

Unfortunately the jack is stuck down and I’m too wimpy to unstick the essential tool. But that’s ok because Skoda’s lovely press office calls in the cavalry in the form of Andrew from the AA and in just 40 minutes we are on our way again.

The tyre isn’t punctured as such but a tell-tale black rubber mark on the alloy shows how it has come off the rim just long enough to let the air out, such was the impact of the pothole strike. It will also mean a brand new tyre is needed as the sidewalls have undoubtedly been damaged.

But the whole experience has been much less than a palaver and distracts little from what is a very endearing car.

AA Andrew says it’s the first time he has seen a Scala – what better recommendation as it means they don’t normally breakdown.

In case you are wondering, Scala is a hatchback fitting between Fabia and Octavia. Its 1.5 litre petrol turbo produces an impressive 150PS transmitted to the road via a slick six speed manual gearbox to the front wheels. Pickup is spirited, its mid-range strong for safe overtakes and ride and handling are exemplary. It’s a great drive. Economy is good too and I see 50mpg+ on the trip computer.

The cabin is a delight with virtual dash and clear and simple to use touchscreen. There are also bags of design details including an abundance of useful cubbyholes, especially in the boot where one prevents my long camera lens from rolling about and the other is a great place to put wheel nuts and various caps as I try to change the stricken wheel.

That’s Scala generally and the Monte Carlo offers that bit of extra luxury which is well worth the money.

Firstly, you get the magical badge – Montel Carlo – a place name synonymous with sporty motoring, high quality and aspirations.

On the outside you get 18" Black Vega alloy wheels – I dread to think how smaller wheels would have coped with the cavernous pothole.

Automatic LED adaptive headlights, with cornering function, cut through the darkness, with the help of fog lights on murky days.

Body-coloured bumpers set off the attractive livery and the panoramic glass roof with extended tailgate glass looks great and lets in the maximum light.

Inside there is an Amundsen satellite navigation with 9.2" touchscreen display and web radio featuring Bluetooth® and eight speakers.

The three-spoke leather sports multifunction steering wheel is chunky and tactile, the pedals are aluminium, there is ambient white lighting and carbon-effect decorative inserts.

In this weather, there’s the all-important umbrella in driver's door, light and rain sensors, rear parking sensors, remote central locking and adaptive cruise control. Monte Carlo feels well-equipped and plush, a car you can be proud to own, even when it goes bust.

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