Renault’s distinctive fourth-generation Scénic range arrives in the UK this December, playing host to a raft of unique-in-class safety features and technologies usually associated with the segment above.
Unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the All-New Scénic and Grand Scénic range displays Renault’s sensual design language with a C-shaped front lighting signature and unique and innovative 20-inch wheels. The All-New five-seat Scénic and seven-seat Grand Scénic range, priced from £21,445 on-the-road, will be available to order from 1st December with first customer deliveries taking place later that month.
Renault invented the compact family MPV segment in 1996 and the arrival of the fourth generation signals the complete renewal of Renault’s all-new family car line-up with Kadjar, Mégane, Mégane Sport Tourer, Scénic and Grand Scénic. The French manufacturer now has the newest model range on sale in Europe.
The Scénic and Grand Scénic are each offered in four trim levels that owners of other Renault vehicles will be accustomed to – Expression+, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav and Signature Nav. Each version provides a comprehensive standard specification, rising to the truly luxurious at the top-of-the-range.
All-New Scénic and All-New Grand Scénic are the only vehicles in the class to receive the Active Emergency Braking System (AEBS) with Pedestrian Detection as standard.
Even from Expression+, this high-end technology is complemented by the Visio active safety system providing Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition and Automatic High/Low Beam headlamps. An electronic parking brake, LED daytime running lights, roof rails (Grand Scénic only), automatic dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors, F1-style integrated fuel filler whereby the cap is a part of the fuel flap for ease of refuelling, leather steering wheel, 4 x 20W DAB radio with fingertip controls and an AUX input with Bluetooth® connectivity and a seven-inch touchscreen are fitted to every version.
Finally, cruise control, speed limiter, a two-way adjustable steering column, height adjustable driver seat, gear-shift indicator and a 12-volt front socket are all standard from Expression+ trim level.
The All-New Scénic and Grand Scénic remains as impressively practical as ever thanks to its modularity and class-leading storage and boot space. The five-seat All-New Scénic has a best-in-class boot volume of 572-litres with all seats in the upright position, whilst the seven-seat All-New Grand Scénic has a boot volume of 596-litres when configured with the rearmost two seats down. Other ingenious storage solutions, including four underfloor compartments, extend total storage capacity to 57-litres, placing the All-New Scénic at the top of its class by offering up to twice as much space as its competitors.
The All-New Scénic and Grand Scénic have been given a five star safety rating by Euro NCAP. Passive safety features as standard across every version in the range include six airbags, seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners at the front, side impact protection bars and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points on the two outer rear seats. Active safety features on each version in the range include Emergency Brake Assist, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with traction and understeer control and Hill Start Assist.
Dynamique Nav adds to this with further driver aids such as front and rear parking sensors, fatigue alert whereby the vehicle monitors steering control to detect tiredness and alerts the driver to take a break; and handsfree keycard with walkaway lock and welcome functionality. This convenience function enables the driver to walkaway without needing to press anything on the key and the car will lock, the door mirrors will fold in and the headlights will turn off. When the driver returns to the car with the key, the car will unlock, the door mirrors will unfold and the lights will turn on.
Renault’s Multi-Sense convenience system enabling the driver to personalise their driving experience is also standard on Dynamique Nav and above. There are five modes to select within the unique system to alter the driving set up and interior ambiance – Neutral, Comfort, Eco, Perso and Sport. Multi-Sense can be used to modify the accelerator pedal and engine response, engine sound, steering weight, interior lighting ambience through a choice of five colours and – where fitted – the speed of the Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) gear changes. The system is accessed via the R-LINK 2 display through a button on the centre console.
To the interior, Dynamique Nav gains a sliding centre console providing 13-litres of storage with four USB ports and AUX input shared between front and rear passengers, Arkamys 3D Sound 4x35W DAB radio and a seven-inch touchscreen housing the R-Link2 multimedia system providing satellite navigation with live traffic updates and Western European mapping.
Backseat passengers are well-catered for with rear-mounted aviation-style tables on front seats, one-touch easy folding rear seats – activated either directly inside the boot or via R-Link2 multimedia system in the front, LED reading lights, sunblinds and cupholders.
Puddle lighting under the door mirrors and chrome detailing along the side window line, tailgate and front grille help the Dynamique Nav to further stand out.
The Dynamique S Nav provides unique-in-segment features such as an 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen housing the R-Link2 multimedia system and a head-up colour display, rear parking camera, panoramic glass roof with electric sunblind, electrochrome rearview mirror, extra tinted windows to the rear and tailgate and, standard on dCi 160 EDC Automatic versions only, a BOSE® 11-speaker sound system.
The top of the range Signature Nav features Carbon Black leather upholstery with Nappa leather steering wheel, electrically-operated height and lumbar adjustment to driver and front passenger seats with a courtesy function, driver’s seat position memory function, full LED headlights with ‘See Me Home’ function and front fog lights with cornering function.
All-New Scénic and Grand Scénic are available with a range of safety and convenience features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot and Safe Distance warnings, Handsfree Parking and 360-degree parking sensors.
There are six high-value equipment packages available, to personalise the All-New Scénic and Grand Scénic, depending on version.
At launch there is a choice of five engines on offer – two Energy TCe turbocharged petrol options with capacities and power outputs of 1.2-litre/115hp (manual only) and 1.2-litre/130hp (manual only). The turbodiesel alternatives are a 1.5-litre dCi 110 unit (manual or EDC), a 1.6-litre dCi 130 engine (manual only) or a 1.5-litre dCi 160 engine (EDC only).
From Spring 2017, Renault’s innovative Hybrid Assist engine electrification technology will be available with the model’s popular dCi 110 diesel unit and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The electric motor is powered by a 48-volt battery which takes over some of the work of the internal combustion engine to provide low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions without compromising the driving enjoyment and performance delivered by the dCi 110 engine. During deceleration, the Motor Generation Unit recovers energy for use by the vehicle’s electrical system and for storing in the system’s independent battery.
