CONNECTIVITY
ONLINE AT ALL TIMES
ŠKODA AUTO IS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO DEVELOP PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMS
THAT WILL MAKE TRIPS EASIER AND MORE COMFORTABLE FOR PASSENGERS
N
owadays, drivers expect more than
ever before from their cars. Smart
devices have become a phenom
enon, and ŠKODA is keeping up with the
trend. While a hands‑free system was
missing from its cars before 2000, the car
maker now offers a car with a permanent
connection, the SCALA.
Multiple functions in one
Today, cars can be dubbed smart devic
es on wheels. Equipped with dozens of
control units, they offer several advanced
connectivity functions. The S CALA is
progressive in many ways, with connectiv
ity being in the foreground. Thanks to an
LTE eSIM card, it is the first series mod
el from Mladá Boleslav to feature a per
manent Internet connection. A pioneer
within the VW Group, the car integrates
third‑generation infotainment systems
that, in combination with each other, allow
the driver and the crew a new level of user
experience.
Smarter car
The ŠKODA Connect system in the SCALA
represents a new generation of online ser
vices. Using user feedback, all functions
have been made even more accessible,
and their control is thoroughly intuitive.
As a result, all customers can make use of
the Emergency Call and Proactive Service
functions. If an accident occurs, the car in
itiates an emergency call, which can also
be started manually. In addition, the Pro
active Service determines the car’s cur
rent location and condition. Apart from
that, it enables the archiving – random
ly or in regular intervals – of this informa
tion or makes it possible to connect the car
with a service. Thanks to the connection
to a smartphone and a specially installed
ŠKODA Connect app, the driver can check
whether the car is locked and the windows
are closed, how much fuel is left in the tank
or, in the winter, can activate autonomous
heating in order to get into a warmed‑up
car later. Once inside the car, the crew can
download apps available from the infotain
ment system. Gradually, others will be add
ed to the weather forecast and news apps
that are currently available. Moreover, this
permanent connection facilitates contin
uous updates of navigation data during
travels.
Voice assistant
A new dimension of comfort is the com
munication with the car via Amazon’s
A lexa voice assistant. At the moment,
the s ervice is offered in Germany, Great
B ritain and France, with more countries
to follow. Although it can be downloaded
elsewhere, too, only German-, English- and
French‑language versions are available as
of today. Using the Amazon Echo speaker
or your smartphone, you can ask Alexa for
a lot of information you would o therwise
have to search yourself. For example, the
fuel level, whether the car is locked and
where it is parked. Alexa also knows the
average speed, consumption and d aily
mileage and can inform you of the next
service or the closest authorised ŠKODA
dealer. RED
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CONNECTIVITY IN ŠKODA CARS AT
www.skoda-storyboard.com
10
ŠKODA MOBIL FEBRUARY 2019
CONNECTIVITY IN ŠKODA CARS
2000
First hands‑free systems
are built in the cars.
Specifically, sets for Nokia
6210i customisable with the
facelift of the first‑generation
OCTAVIA.
2004
Connecting the hands‑free set
with a cable proved to be im‑
practical, and the phone hold‑
er got in the driver’s way on
the dashboard, so Bluetooth
technology was applied.
2008
Bluetooth allows for playing
music from your mobile in the
car’s speakers. The function
is first made available in the
second‑generation SUPERB.
2009
Entertainment systems enable
connecting devices other than
a mobile with the Mitsumi
connector and USB or iPod
reduction cables.
2012
The non‑standard Mitsumi
connector and reduction cables
to connect various sources are
replaced with a standard USB,
first installed in the RAPID.
2014
Perfect connection is supplied
by the SmartGate and
MirrorLink smart multimedia
systems. The latter makes it
possible to mirror the phone
display onto the infotainment
screen in the car.
2015
This model year brings a new
generation of connectivity
called SmartLink+. In addition
to the MirrorLink and
SmartGate, it now supports
Apple CarPlay and Google
AndroidAuto.
2016
The ŠKODA Connect system,
which is launched in the
KODIAQ, offers a whole
new level of connectivity and
makes it possible to control
the car with your smartphone
or smartwatch.
2018
The cars now integrate the
ŠKODA Connect Alexa Skill
app. It connects the Alexa
Voice assistant with the
ŠKODA Connect services,
and you can control the car
from home or remotely.