The ADAC concluded this week that some manufacturers are giving up rather optimistic dimensions when it comes to cargo space. Skoda responds to this by providing more insight into how it comes to the figures in its models.
Despite certain guidelines and regulations, there is no uniform method for measuring the loading volume of cars. Some manufacturers may load cars to the tiniest nooks and crannies to arrive at a number. A more realistic method, according to the ADAC at least, occasionally yields considerably lower loading volumes than stated. In addition, it showed on a photo how cubes are stacked to measure the usable loading space. Skoda uses a similar method, as it now shows.
Each block equals a load volume of 1 liter. How they are stacked in the cargo area and which space may or may not be filled, according to Skoda, is done in a fixed way. “There are also rules about the height of the stack of blocks. Of course it makes a difference whether you go all the way to the top edge of the rear seat back, or if you stay just below the parcel shelf. In any case, the parcel shelf should never rest on the blocks.” According to regulations, separate luggage compartments such as storage compartments and door bins may also be taken along.
The measurement regulations offer, according to Skoda, some room for variation. For example, it is allowed to remove all loose parts from the car, but Skoda says it prefers a more realistic image. It does admit that it takes the space under the floor of the luggage compartment with it and that, for example, such a ‘measuring stone’ is also placed between the individual backrests if space is created when the rear seat is folded down. Then there is the space that is created if you possibly slide the front seats all the way forward. However, according to Skoda, a kind of test dummy (photo 3) should prevent the seats from being placed in a practically unusable position during the measurement. After all, the measured luggage space must be usable in practice and according to Skoda that is the starting point for its measurements.