2017 New Renault Scenic MPV
Renault made its mark at the Geneva
Motor Show - not with a showy supercar, but with the new Scenic MPV. The
production model made its world debut in Switzerland ahead of its release
towards the end of the year.
The original Renault Scenic was a
notable trend-setter, but rivals like the Citroen C4 Picasso have knocked the
current car down the pecking order. Alongside that, MPV sales are slowly
dwindling as buyers favour crossovers and SUVs.
Renault is continuing its latest family
car revolution - started with the Kadjar SUV, new Megane hatch and forthcoming
large SUV - with a thoroughly re-thought take on the people carrier. The brand
has clearly taken inspiration from its Kadjar
giving the car a crossover look thanks to bigger wheels and an elevated
stance.
But it’s all an illusion. The
standard-fit 20-inch wheels trick your mind into thinking Renault has pumped up
the suspension and given the Scenic a raised ride height. But the roof is
actually lower than before, while the windscreen has been raked forward by
100 mm to give a sleeker, more desirable design. It’s a technique used on the
not-for-UK Renault Espace, and one that has seen strong sales in mainland
Europe.
It will of course continue to be one of
the safest cars on sale, with the Scenic marking introducing three new safety
systems to the Renault range. Lane Keeping Assist, Active Emergency Braking
with Pedestrian Detection and Tiredness Detection all feature on the
MPV-cum-crossover.
This all adds up to a car that’s less
MPV and more family-focused SUV-crossover. Renault design boss Laurens van den
Acker said: “It is a sexier and more modern take on the MPV, which carries over
the outstanding modularity that has been paramount to the success of the model’s
three previous generations.
Van den Acker has also revealed that
there will be more external differences between the five-seat Scenic and
seven-seat Grand Scenic due for reveal later in the year. The Scenic, which is
based on the same platform as the new Megane, will sit between Renault’s Captur
and Kadjar SUVs in terms of overall size and pricing, with the Grand Scenic
positioned alongside the company’s upcoming seven-seat flagship SUV.
Inside, the new Scenic mirrors the new
Megane, which we drove late last year. There are three dashboard screen setups,
with the most lavishly-equipped cars utilising an 8.7-inch portrait display
with R-Link 2 technology. It’s beautifully finished inside, too, with programme
director Delphine de Andria telling Auto Express: “I want top-spec versions to
compete with BMW and Mercedes”.
Owners will be able to “personalise
their driving experience”, with a drive mode selector on the dash. This dial
adjusts the throttle response, steering weight and even the interior ambient lighting,
as the driver flicks through Neutral, Sport, Comfort, Perso and Eco modes. A
full-colour heads-up display takes the new car further upmarket, while
Renault’s tie-up with premium stereo maker Bose continues in the 2016 Scenic.
The wider body has allowed for a roomier
and more flexible seating layout, while the Grand Scenic will offer more head
and legroom in the third row. Boot space is also up on the previous version,
boasting 572 litres with the rear seats in place (versus 555 litres in the outgoing
car). Renault also claims an additional 63 litres of stowage dotted around
elsewhere in the car – including an 11.5-litre electric glovebox. There’s a
sliding centre console, too, with a 13-litre pocket for assorted odds and ends.
There’s loads of room inside the cabin,
and despite removing the three individual rear seats from the old car, there’s
enough space to fit three adults across the back. The reason behind Renault’s
apparent oversight is that the chairs can now be folded flat into the floor, rather
than necessitating the cumbersome removal as seen on current cars. You can
still slide the rear seats for and aft, but only in a 60:40 arrangement.
Powertrains will be shared pretty much
wholesale with the Megane, so we will see a range of four-cylinder turbocharged
petrol and diesel engines from launch. The dCi 95 and dCi 130 models will both
come with a manual gearbox, while the mid-range dCi 110 will also be available
with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. A dCi 160 flagship will come solely with the
auto. Two petrols - a TCe 115 and TCe 130, will both be manual only.
However, Renault has also confirmed a
diesel-electric hybrid option will debut on the dCi 110 engine before the end
of the year. The car will - unusually for a hybrid - use a six-speed manual.
