In 1996, Renault revolutionized the market with the launch of the Scenic, a compact-sized minivan that set the trend for its competitors. Its versatility and family philosophy were key factors in its enormous commercial success and, although needs have evolved over the years, Scenic has always known how to anticipate.
Presented in public at the IAA Mobility 2023 show in Munich, the time has come for Renault to reinvent the C-segment family car. It is the launch of a new 100% electric model, the Scenic E-Tech, for which it is announced a WLTP autonomy of more than 620 km and whose launch is estimated for the beginning of 2024.
The Scenic E-Tech offers a combination of bold design, small size for its class and remarkable passenger space. The exterior design abandons the minivan format of the previous generation and is inspired by the codes of SUVs, with a low waist and fluid lines, typical of Renault’s new design language.
The new generation has a length of 4.47m, a width of 1.86m and a height of 1.57m. It enjoys a flat floor and a notable wheelbase, thus achieving excellent habitability levels in relation to its exterior size. Rear passengers, in turn, benefit from good knee and head room.
Equipped with a dynamic silhouette to promote aerodynamics, at the front it has air inlets located under the daytime running lights that improve air penetration. At the rear, the shape of the vehicle is sculpted to improve air resistance and the aerodynamic work is completed in details such as 19 or 20-inch wheels, flush door handles or roof bars.
The Scenic E-Tech incorporates the brand’s new luminous shape, with a diamond-shaped design that expresses robustness and reinforces the identity. For their part, the rear lights have been widely separated at the ends, thus amplifying the visual presence of the vehicle. Renault offers six body colors at launch, including a pearlescent white that accentuates the elegant appearance and exterior proportions. There will also be two-tone finishes.
The new Renault Scenic E-Tech uses up to 24% materials from recycling, with an average of 37% recycled material in its metal parts and up to 80% for the doors and hood. In the cabin, recycled materials are used in elements such as the dashboard, the steering wheel trim, cabin plastics, storage spaces in the door panels, floor mats and seat fabric.
Animal leather is completely absent and has been replaced by other recycled materials and fibers that have a lower carbon footprint. The panoramic glass roof uses recycled glass and the battery can be reused when it no longer offers the necessary level of performance in the vehicle.
The Scenic E-Tech will be available with two synchronous motor versions, with powers of 125 kW (170 HP) and 160 kW (220 HP). In turn, it can equip two batteries, with respective capacities of 60 kWh and 87 kWh. The first allows a range of more than 420 km to be approved, the second raises this figure to above 620 km. All versions are compatible with direct current recharging of up to 150 kW and, in alternating current, a power of up to 22 kW is supported.
The behavior has been taken care of to offer an exciting experience, achieving an ideal compromise between agility and comfort. It also has four levels of regenerative braking to recover energy and improve autonomy.
To facilitate the use of the vehicle, the programming interfaces for preconditioning and battery charging have been redesigned both in the openR link system and in the My Renault smartphone app. Different “all-inclusive” solutions have also been created to simplify charging operations.
Inside, which has very notable levels of habitability, everything is designed to enhance the comfort of the occupants. For example, the panoramic sunroof has a system to become opaque in segments and is controlled by voice commands through Google Assistant or a button on the roof.
The new Scenic E-Tech has 38.7 liters of interior storage space distributed in glove boxes, door compartments, cup holders, etc. It also has wireless charging for smartphones and a practical and adjustable rear headrest. The trunk has a volume of 545 liters, expandable to 1,670 liters with the seats folded down.
The French electric offers settings to enjoy different sensory experiences, with four modes called Comfort, Sport, Eco and Personal. These modes combine settings for ambient lighting, driver’s seat comfort, thermal comfort or screen color, with driving-related elements such as steering hardness, engine calibration and pedal response.
When the vehicle is stopped to recharge, the driver can activate the relax option, through which the seat automatically adjusts to the most comfortable configuration previously chosen. A massage function is also available.
The opelR digital driving position offers a large viewing surface, with a dashboard made up of two L-shaped panels, measuring 12.3 and 12 inches respectively. Each multi-sense adjustment results in a new panel with specific patterns and colors.
The applied artificial intelligence allows the vehicle to make proactive recommendations to the driver and passengers, suggesting, for example, the use of the air conditioning, the defogging system, etc. The multiple applications guarantee entertainment on trips and the “Safety coach” helps drivers to have safe driving habits.
The Scenic E-Tech offers level 2 autonomous driving. It combines intelligent adaptive cruise control with the lane centering function and geolocation data associated with a specific map. In the event of an accident, the braking system automatically locks the brakes and there is a mechanical switch to disconnect the battery.
