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.