Renault has finally unveiled the much anticipated “hydrogen-powered” concept at the Summit ChangeNOW 2022 even, which surprisingly adopts the Scénic nameplate. The Renault Scénic Vision is radically different from all of its predecessors, coming with an SUV-style body that closely previews a production vehicle set to be unveiled in 2024. Also, it is fitted with an unconventional hybrid powertrain that combines an electric motor with a hydrogen fuel cell range extender.
The highlight of the concept is the
H2-Tech technology which aims to reduce the downtime related to charging and
the carbon footprint. The powertrain consists of a front-mounted electric motor
producing 215 hp, a range-extender hydrogen fuel cell
generating 21 hp, and a 40 kWh battery. This hybrid setup
allows the vehicle to carry a twice as light battery for the same range.
According to Renault, the Scénic Vision has a 75 percent smaller carbon
footprint than a conventional battery electric vehicle. After 2030 when the
hydrogen station network will (hopefully) have expanded, the company expects up
to 800 km of range with a hydrogen refill time of around five
minutes.
The concept that is based on an
experimental platform has a larger footprint than the Mégane E-Tech measuring
4,490 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, and 1,590 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,835 mm. According to
Renault, the weight is 1,700 kg, which is close to the
highest-spec trim of the Mégane despite the addition of the hydrogen fuel
cell. In terms of styling, the concept adopts the latest evolution of Renault’s
design language with a heavily sculpted body, strong character lines and futuristic
details. The two-box silhouette is bridging the gap between SUVs and
hatchbacks, distancing itself from the MPV past of the Scénic. At the front,
the thin LED headlights have an aggressive look, with additional LED units
positioned lower and new kinds of textiles for the grille and bumper. The
profile is quite dynamic thanks to the unconventional surfacing on the doors
and the sci-fi 21-inch wheels. At the back things are more down-to-earth with
boomerang-shaped LED taillights, an illuminated badge and a prominent rear
spoiler. Chief designer Gilles Vidal said that the concept is 90 percent ready
for production, while stating that the exterior design will evolve.
Moving inside the cabin from the frameless
suicide doors that improve accessibility we come across a concept-style
interior. Features include wide floating-style seats, an array of small
rectangle-shaped screens, a wraparound screen on the
top of the dashboard, a yoke steering wheel, and fancy ambient lighting. The widescreen
can transmit live feed from an external camera, enlarging the driver’s field of
vision by 24 percent. A facial recognition system automatically opens the doors
and adjusts the vehicle settings to the driver’s profile and each seat is
equipped with microphones and speakers for personal audio and optimal
communication between passengers. There is also a Safety Coach making sure that
the driver is healthy and pays attention to the road while helping them improve
their driving habits.
In terms of materials, the Scénic Vision
is a testament to Renault’s eco-friendly mindset and focus on sustainability.
Over 70 percent of the materials used on the vehicle are recycled, with 95 per
cent being recyclable. The interior is leather-free with recycled low carbon
polyester for the upholstery, while 30 percent of the plastic is biosourced.
The concept
previews a production model that will be unveiled in 2024 – most likely the
fifth generation of the Scénic. This one will trade the electric-hydrogen
powertrain for a more conventional battery electric powertrain and will be
based on a stretched version of the CMF-EV architecture that will be widely
used by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance in the coming years. As for the
use of hydrogen, Renault is already offering production LCVs with fuel cells
under the HYVIA brand and will continue the development of the experimental
hydrogen-electric architecture for potential use in future models.