RENAULT SCENIC. Presented Monday at the Munich Motor Show, the New Renault Scénic, 5th of the name, is definitely going from family minivan to SUV. Designed exclusively in electric mode, with a range of 600 kilometres, it will face strong competition in a segment that is still as popular as ever.
[Mis à jour le 4 septembre à 12h18] It is on the eve of the opening to the public of the Munich Motor Show, which is held this year from September 5 to 10, that Renault presented this Monday the new generation, the fifth, of the Scénic. Born in 1996, the family minivan, one of the biggest successes of the diamond brand, makes a 180 degree turn to transform itself definitively into an SUV. As announced a long time ago, the New Scénic will be exclusively electric, like the Mégane E-Tech introduced to the market last year.
For the French manufacturer, the release of the electric Scénic E-Tech (its full name) is a further step towards the electrification of its range. But the new family SUV, designed “in a more sustainable way” and 95% recyclable, will have to defend its place in a hyper-competitive segment. Moreover, it is certainly no coincidence that only eight days separate the presentation of the Scénic E-Tech and that of the New Peugeot e-3008, which will be unveiled on September 12.
Photos of the Renault Scénic E-Tech
What’s new on the New Renault Scénic?
- The size of the Scénic has changed. Longer by 6 centimeters (4m47) but less high – 1m57 against 1m65 for its predecessor – this fifth opus of the family minivan presented in Concept-Car 32 years ago has changed its proportions to become an SUV in its own right. Its width, which has lost only a small centimeter (1m86), still offers space inside, a clear desire at Renault to keep “a car to live in”.
- The silhouette of this Renault Scénic E-Tech is more massive than the little brother born in 2016. With its long horizontal bonnet, its sharp lines, its plastic protections on the fenders and on the sills, its large wheels mounted on 19 or 20 inch rims, or even its flush handles, the New Scénic gives off an impression of robustness and aerodynamics reinforced by the roof spoiler at the rear.
- The front of the New Renault Scénic adopts the same light signature in the shape of a half-diamond as that recently discovered on the Rafale and the Clio V. The very thin headlights sharpen its face, while the grille, formed by a multitude of small diamonds, blends into the bodywork.
- There is no revolution at the rear of the vehicle. The new diamond brand logo takes place in the center of the tailgate but is not backlit as the concept car might have suggested. The two lights are positioned as two arrows on either side of the body. Six body colors will adorn the Scénic E-Tech: Flame red, Nocturne blue, Star black, shiny Schist grey, Satin Schist gray and pearly white. A two-tone livery will be available on certain finishes.
- In the cabin, everything has been designed for passenger comfort. Stretched by 10 centimeters to 2m78, the wheelbase of the vehicle offers rear passengers a very appreciable space that the panoramic glass roof, whose surface can be made opaque in segments as on the Rafale presented last spring, only makes accentuate despite the reduction in the size of the windows elsewhere. If some storage spaces have disappeared, those under the floor for example, and if the airplane-style shelves fixed behind the front seats are now optional, the SUV now has a large central armrest at the rear. The latter houses two USB ports and a removable support that can vertically accommodate a tablet or two smartphones. On the other hand, reduction of the size and the weight of the vehicle obliges, the back seat will not be any more sliding.
- Still inside, the dashboard, identical to that of the Mégane E-Tech, incorporates two screens, 12.3 inches for the digital counter and 12 inches for the central panel dedicated to infotainment. The openR Link multimedia system is still relevant and has been enriched with new applications. The large sliding central armrest, ideal for storage, has also been retained. Note that Renault has not used any leather, including on the steering wheel, and chrome at least for environmental reasons. Many materials used to dress the cabin are also recycled.
The engines of the New Renault Scénic?
As said above, this fifth opus of the Renault Scénic will be 100% electric. The SUV, developed like the Mégane E-Tech on the CMF-EV platform, will offer two engines developing 170 and 220 horsepower. The first will be powered by a 60 kWh battery for a WLPT autonomy announced at 420 kilometers by the manufacturer, which would place this Scénic V in the average of vehicles in its segment. The second option, obviously more expensive, will allow, still according to Renault, to exceed 600 kilometers of autonomy (610 exactly), which would make it possible to reach Bordeaux from Paris without going through an electric charging station. This more powerful motor will be powered by an 87 kWh battery.
When will the New Renault Scénic be released?
We will still have to wait a little bit before imagining ourselves driving the fifth Scénic of the name. If the SUV was presented at the beginning of September, taking advantage of the Munich Motor Show, its commercial launch is scheduled for spring 2024.
What will be the price of the New Renault Scénic?
Today the price of the entry-level Mégane E-Tech with the 220 hp engine is 42,000 euros. It is therefore safe to say that the New Renault Scénic will cost more. Given the prices charged by the competition, it would not be surprising to see the price of the entry-level model reach, or even exceed, 45,000 euros.