Renault Scenic — The Return Of An Icon

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When the Renault Scenic was launched over 25 years in the past, it was a sensation. It grew to become an icon instantaneously. It was the primary of a brand new class of automobiles — the small household automotive, a mini MPV based mostly on a standard sedan underpinning. Later, the time period “crossover” got here into vogue. Inside just a few years, almost each model had a replica of the Scenic on the highway; generally onerous to differentiate from the unique.

The launch was on the identical time I began working as a self-employed software program engineer. I noticed my first Renault Scenic within the car parking zone of my first job. A number of weeks later, there have been three of them. After one other few weeks, mine was quantity 5 or 6 in that not very large car parking zone. Nevertheless it was a location hiring software program engineers as quick because the market may present them. The euro conversion and the millennium bug have been on the horizon.

I drove three of them on quick lease contracts, however after I determined to purchase one, the brand new mannequin had a 5-spoke steering wheel. It damage my palms and it was not match for drives of over half an hour. Mounting a greater steering wheel would price 20% further. In the long run, I purchased a Citroen Evasion and loved that automotive for 18 years.

Now the Renault Scenic Icon has returned as a completely electrical automotive. It’s in its 5^th era. Gross sales will begin early in 2024 and deliveries a bit later. That is the successor to the Zoe the market has been ready for. The Twingo ZE has no vary and may’t cost, the Mégane ZE is a driver’s automotive and lacks longer vary, however the Scenic is a high-usability automobile for vacationers. Most likely identical to the Zoe, one of the best in its class.

Normal Vary

• 125 kW motor
• 60 kWh battery
• Torque: 280 Nm
• Max DC cost: 130 kW
• Vary: >420 km (WLTP)
• Acceleration (standstill to 100 km/h): 9.3 sec
• Max pace: 150 km/h

Excessive Vary

• 160 kW motor
• 87 kWh battery
• Torque: 300 Nm
• Max DC cost: 150 kW
• Vary: >620 km (WLTP)
• Acceleration (standstill to 100 km/h): 8.4 sec
• Max pace: 170 km/h

Dimension & Weight

• Size: 4,470 mm
• Width: 1,864 mm
• Peak: 1,571 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,785 mm
• Entrance overhang: 842 mm
• Rear overhang: 842 mm
• Weight: 1842 kg (87 kWh model)
• Boot quantity: 545 litres

With a battery of 87 kWh and a 620 km mixed WLTP vary, it’s the household automotive Renault clients have been ready for. Even when touring with all seats occupied and an excessive amount of baggage on the Autobahn, you solely have to cost when it’s a must to cease for a loo break and to stretch your legs. So long as there are sufficient charging stations at common intervals alongside the highways, you possibly can plan your charging when it’s worthwhile to cease for regular causes. Nevertheless, with the present availability of freeway charging choices in lots of international locations, one won’t have that freedom on most journeys. Relating to the longer term, the EU is mandating a naked minimal, whereas most routes may have a a number of of the required infrastructure within the not-so-distant future.

At a automotive present, all one can do is sit in the back and front, whereas different lovers additionally bounce out and in of the automotive. On the primary day after the press occasion, even that was not potential, because it was additionally not possible to take photos. There have been too many competing journalists attempting to get an impression, a photograph, and a narrative. So, early the following day, straight after the opening of the present, the primary order of enterprise was the Renault Scenic.

The designers did their factor with the headlights and back lights and with the area vacated by the radiator vents. The wheels have been too large to be sensible (19”or 20”). There have been different necessary design language particulars that you could discover along with your eyes. Regretfully, the designers didn’t deliver again the long-lasting home windows of the first-generation Scenic, nor a reference to the recognizable form — the sort of efforts they put into recreating that older, nearly forgotten icon, the R5, that’s being introduced again as a successor to the Twingo and Zoe. From the surface, the Scenic seems to be good, however much like a dozen mini MPVs/SUVs/CUVs.

The Dwelling Area

On the within, it’s extra of what one expects from a Scenic. It is rather comfy, a cellular sitting room. There are many well-thought-out little particulars and devices, just like the pill/smartphone holders within the central armrest of the again seats. Many features are managed by voice instructions, which might be a consequence of utilizing the Google automotive swimsuit.

A number of years in the past, my Renault Zoe route planner was higher than the smartphone Google app Android Auto. However Google has certainly made extra progress in software program improvement than Renault. In addition to the route planner, there are over 50 different apps on the central console.

There’s a good stability between the touchscreen configurations and operational tactile controls. The spartan abandonment of most bodily controls shouldn’t be for me. I wish to preserve my eyes on the highway and assert management solely based mostly on muscle reminiscence and contact. Even voice instructions usually are not comfy.

For actual appreciation and judging of the automobile, in fact, it could take just a few weeks of driving the Scenic. Then what’s nice and the place there may be room for enchancment.

There are greater than 30 ADAS features, most of which it is best to by no means discover. They’re for emergencies, however the lane maintaining, cruise management, and blind spot warning features are price testing. They’ll make an enormous distinction in driving relaxed and safely. There’s additionally a protected driving coach. This could be a bonus for drivers who’ve obtained their license lately, or for individuals who have acquired sloppy driving habits. But, it may be very annoying for drivers who’ve developed a protected however non-standard driving type. That is one thing I actually like to check myself.

For the welcome tune and the pedestrian warning sounds, the musician/composer Jean-Michel Jarre was employed. He was a sub-culture pop idol within the late hippy period. He was well-known for spectacular open air performances with thousands and thousands of attendants.

To help the round financial system, 24% of the mass of the automotive is product of recycled supplies. When it’s on the finish of its helpful life, over 90% of the automotive could be recycled. There isn’t any leather-based nor chrome used wherever within the automotive. So far as automobiles could be eco-friendly, this one is.

The large sunroof doesn’t have a center help on the location of the b-pillar, creating a really spacious cabin. The solar display screen is integrated within the glass by the use of LCD expertise. When much less gentle or extra privateness is required, the liquid crystals flip to put flat and block the sunshine. And additionally it is voice managed.

The upholstery of the seats and the end on the doorways and dashboard is gentle in tone. I hate automobiles which might be like the within of a darkish cave. It makes me really feel claustrophobic. In addition to the now commonplace cupholders and USB sockets, there are good gimmicks to carry telephones and tablets to be used by the passengers. For consolation, there are heated seats and a heated steering wheel. There’s even the choice for a therapeutic massage within the entrance seats. I preferred it after I was drained from strolling the showroom flooring.

The Harman Kardon sound system might be superb. It has many audio system and was optimized by Jean-Michel Jarre. I won’t be able to inform — like many individuals of my age, my ears usually are not what they was. It will be good if I may configure the identical correction as is in my listening to aids. Value wanting into.

Renault has made a 30-page leaflet [PDF] for individuals who wish to know much more about this surprise on wheels. However don’t count on too many details — it’s extra a storytelling by the advertising division than a technical specification or a list of all of the choices. Gross sales will start in early 2024 in most European international locations. Anticipate the specs, trim ranges, choices, and costs to be revealed by that point. Deliveries are anticipated to begin within the second quarter.

I can’t wait to attempt it out.

Written in collaboration with Jolanda Vinkhuyzen.