RENAULT

CHANGING THE SCENERY Faced with a barrage of rivals, Renault has refreshed the Scenic. Andy Enright runs the rule over the latest models

The Renault Scenic is an easy car to underestimate. Here in the UK, we tend to affix importance to novelty. The latest is usually seen as the greatest but that isn’t the case across Europe where, with metronomic reliability, Renault has claimed the best selling MPV crown every single year since 1996 thanks to the Scenic. After a decade at the top, it would be understandable if Renault was to become a little complacent. Not a bit of it. The car has been continually improved since it was launched.

The most recent weak is a minor front end facelift with a new chrome-effect grille and black headlight surrounds, as seen on the sporty GT versions of Mégane and New Laguna respectively. The idea is to keep this car current until its replacement (based on the all-new MK3 Megane) arrives in a year or so’s time. Also, you may not yet have caught up with the fact that there is now a five-seat version of the larger Grand Scenic model to sit alongside the existing seven-seat version. This neatly solves all of the ‘people or baggage’ quandaries faced by many mini-MPV owners by offering five adult-sized seats and a 501 litre baggage capacity (up from 104 on the seven seat car). There’s even another 32 litres of underfloor storage where the last row of folding seats once went. The interiors have been revised in recent imes, with better quality trims and there’s also a different palette of exterior colours and alloy wheel designs. The options list has also swelled to include items such as MP3 stereo compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, front passenger seat height adjustment and front and rear parking sensors.

"Renault has developed more expertise in making mini-MPVs than any other car maker and, frankly, it shows"

The engine and transmission selection was augmented in 2007 with the launch of a powerful 2.0-litre dCi diesel unit with 150bhp and an upgrade to a six-speed gearbox on the 1.6-litre petrol models. The slow-selling 2.0-litre turbo petrol models have been quietly deleted. The Scenic is nobody’s idea of a rorty sportster. Otherwise, petrol buyers get the choice of a 98bhp 1.4-litre entry-level unit, a 111bhp 1.6-litre VVT unit or a 136bhp 2.0-litre with the same variable valve timing configuration. Three other diesel engines are available – either an 86bhp 1.5-litre, a 106bhp 1.5-litre or the 150bhp 2.0-litre dCi. Of the petrol engines, the 1.6-litre is a sweeter prospect than the 2.0-litre models, while there’s something to be said for all of the diesels. A weight increase of around 132kg over this Scenic’s predecessor takes a little of the edge from performance, but the 2.0dCi will accelerate to 60mph in 9.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 127mph. A combined fuel economy figure of 48mpg and emissions of just 154g/km make it an affordable long-term proposition. The original Scenic was an inspired price of product design. Whilst it certainly wasn’t the first car to offer this sort of versatility, it instantly captured the public’s imagination. Renault’s image as lateral thinking innovators was at its zenith following the success of the astonishing Espace and by scaling down the Espace proposition onto the existing Megane platform, Renault developed an instant class leader at relatively low cost. Rivals were caught on the hop and needed some time to adjust their way of thinking to this new family-friendly format. With two clear years of breathing space before Vauxhall launched the Zafira and three before Citroen developed the Xsara Picasso, the Scenic cleaned up. Ford and Volkswagen were caught uncharacteristically a-dither, especially when Vauxhall’s seven seater threw them a curve ball. These markets are inherently dynamic, however, and when these two industrial powerhouses finally got their game together, Renault knew it had to respond. Luckily, its product development cycle was again one step ahead and the latest Scenic steals a small but crucial march on its rivals. Pricing starts at just under £14,500 and, just as in first generation guise, the basic Scenic rides on Megane running gear, offering five seats. The long wheelbase Grand Scenic is available for a premium of around £1,500 in seven-seat guise and there are mock-4x4 Conquest models to consider, but most will settle for the regular model, offering as it does a usefully larger cabin than its predecessor. Height-wise it’s within a centimetre of the first generation Espace, but it’s a significant degree longer and wider while the cabin is massively more space efficient. How times change. The cabin feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, particularly when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but it’s not quite as slick as Ford’s diagonally sliding system. Aside from that minor niggle though, there’s very little to fault the Scenic interior. There are storage cubbies in every conceivable nook and cranny as well as some you may need the user manual to find. Even the glovebox is cavernous. With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity is a respectable 410 litres and loading is made simple by a glass tailgate window that opens independently. Renault has achieved a full five star Euro-NCAP crash test result for the Scenic. Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard to every variant and all berths are fitted with five-point seat belts. There’s even the option of Sleep-Safe headrests, designed to protect the head and neck of 6-10 year old children in the event of an accident. One area where the Scenic has always excelled is in ride quality and this version is no different, the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways. Even on the optional seventeen-inch wheels, bump and thump through the suspension remains very muted. There is a trade-off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus C-MAX and the SEAT Altea more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car-like. More than a million Scenics have rolled from the line at Renault’s Douai factory in northern France since the second generation car was launched in 2003 and this car finishes off a busy period for Renault which has seen revisions to their entire range. In truth the Scenic didn’t need much doing to it. Renault have wisely chosen not to mess too fundamentally with a winning formula.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Scenic range PRICES: £14,495–£20,955 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4E-10E CO2 EMISSIONS: 137-205g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.0dCi 150] Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 9.4s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0dCi 150] (urban) 38.7mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 48.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4259/2087/1621mm

FRENCH SENSE If you’re after a quality mini-MPV with either 5 or 7 seats but working to a realistic but reasonably tight budget, then Renault’s Scenic Team models might just be the ticket. Jonathan Crouch reports

If you’re after a mini-MPV, then it’s pretty likely that Renault’s Scenic is on your shortlist. But maybe not at the top of it. Now you know the thinking behind the entry-level ‘Team’ versions we’re looking at here.

Renault’s marketers are offering up pretty simple reasoning here. Ditch the entry-level Extreme and Expression trim levels and replace them with one that throws in a little more for no extra money. So it is that ‘Team’ versions of the Scenic, 5-seat Grand Scenic and 7-seat Grand Scenic boast all-round metallic paint, satin chrome finish door handles and body-coloured door mirrors. On the inside, they benefit from air conditioning, an RDS CD-radio, a leather steering wheel, an automatic handbrake and front and rear electric windows. There’s also dark grey upholstery with blue stitching and the same charcoal cabin finish as seen on plusher Dynamique versions. All this costs from £14,495 to £16,085 for the ordinary Scenic, which offers a choice between 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol power and 86 and 106bhp versions of Renault’s proven 1.5-litre diesel. The Grand Scenic models come with the most powerful of their stablemate’s petrol or diesel engines, at a premium of either £800 or £1,000, if you’re able to compare model for model, depending on whether you want your ‘Grand’ with five or seven seats. Grand Scenic motoring (priced from £15,745) also gives you the option of Renault’s excellent 130bhp 1.9-litre dCi diesel unit. Like all the latest Scenic models, these ones benefit from a minor front end facelift with a new chrome-effect grille and black headlight surrounds, as seen on the sporty GT versions of Mégane and New Laguna respectively. The idea is to keep this car current until its replacement (based on the all-new MK3 Megane) arrives in a year or so’s time. Otherwise, it’s a familiar recipe. The Grand Scenic 5-seat model neatly solves all of the ‘people or baggage’ quandaries faced by many mini-MPV owners by offering five adult-sized seats and a 501 litre baggage capacity with all the seats in place (up from 104 on the seven seat car). There’s even another 32 litres of underfloor storage where the last row of folding seats once went.

"Renault dealers could well find that ‘Team’ just works…."

Whichever bodystyle you choose, the cabin feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, particularly when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but it’s not quite as slick as Ford’s diagonally sliding system. Aside from that minor niggle though, there’s very little to fault the Scenic interior. There are storage cubbies in every conceivable nook and cranny as well as some you may need the user manual to find. Even the glovebox is cavernous. With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity in the ordinary Scenic is a respectable 410 litres and loading is made simple by a glass tailgate window that opens independently. Renault has achieved a full five star Euro-NCAP crash test result for this car. Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard and all berths are fitted with five-point seat belts. There’s even the option of Sleep-Safe headrests, designed to protect the head and neck of 6-10 year old children in the event of an accident. One area where the Scenic has always excelled is in ride quality and this version is no different, this Renault making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways. There is a trade-off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus C-MAX and the SEAT Altea more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car-like. More than a million Scenics have rolled from the line at Renault’s Douai factory in northern France since the second generation car was launched in 2003 and this entry-level ‘Team’ package should ensure that a good few more hit UK driveways before the second generation Scenic design quietly shuffles away. As with most family car purchases, less is more: you can’t imagine many people really needing a much greater equipment tally than the ‘Team’ specification includes. In which case, Renault dealers could well find that ‘Team’ just works.  

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Scenic Team range PRICES: £14,495–£19,190 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4E-10E CO2 EMISSIONS: 135-189g/km PERFORMANCE: [Scenic 1.9dCi 130] Max Speed 119mph / 0-60mph 9.6s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [Scenic 1.9dCi 130] (urban) 38.2mpg / (extra urban) 53.3mpg / (combined) 47.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [Scenic] Length/Width/Height, 4259/2087/1621mm

GAME OF CONQUERS Remember the old all-wheel drive Renault Scenic RX4? Well this Scenic Conquest is nothing like it. Andy Enright reports on a mini-MPV that looks the part but rides on a front-wheel drive chassis

Although there was an initial suspicion that Renault’s Scenic Conquest was but a sheep in wolf’s clothing, the added ride height and ability to mop up the worst city potholes and speed humps give it an element of utility that’s well worth having. I was prepared to hate this car. Somewhat annoyingly, it makes reasonable sense.

Ask many drivers of 4x4s what they like about their vehicle and its off road ability will often figure way below factors such as a commanding elevated ride height, plenty of space for gear and family and the ability to shrug off kerbs, sleeping policemen and potholes. Given that all-wheel drive is for some an expensive irrelevance, reducing fuel economy and adding weight and complexity, there would appear to be a market for a vehicle that could offer a rugged look and feel but without the all-wheel drive underpinnings. Renault certainly thinks so and its Scenic Conquest hopes to capitalise on this demand. Much like any other Scenic when it comes to engine and running gear, the Conquest claims to offer the best aspects of both compact MPVs and compact 4x4s. That’s a tough assignment but this pragmatic approach may well pay dividends. One petrol and two diesel engines are offered with the Scenic Conquest. The standout engine in the range is the1.9-litre dCi 130 diesel which offers plenty of shove coupled with decent fuel economy. If you can’t stretch to that unit but still want the range of a diesel, there’s also a 106bhp 1.5-litre dCi that also does the business. Otherwise, petrol buyers get a 111bhp 1.6-litre VVT unit which is a sweeter prospect than the diesels although it does need revving. It’s tough to ascertain the additional 20mm of additional ride height at first when ensconced behind the wheel but sit a Conquest next to a garden variety Scenic and it looks a good deal more imposing.

"Much of the Conquest’s attitude stems from its stance. …"

A small weight increase over the standard car takes a small edge from performance, but the 1.9dCi is still pretty quick off the mark. You’ll miss all-wheel drive in very wet conditions but otherwise it’s an able performer and the standard fitment of ESP stability control keeps things on the straight and narrow if you get a little over zealous. A combined fuel economy figure of 48mpg and emissions of just 154g/km make the 1.9 model an affordable long-term proposition. Much of the Conquest’s attitude stems from its stance. Car designers pay a great deal of attention to this aspect of a vehicle’s aesthetics and use clever tricks such as light and dark panels, rising or falling detail lines and small changes in tyre profile to change the way a car sits on the ground. The Scenic Conquest looks airy around the wheelarches, exaggerating the jacked up look. Twin skidplates protect the underbody and the suspension has been modified to improve comfort on rough terrain. The front and rear dampers have an increased range of travel and smaller anti-roll bars have been fitted. While this may produce a less precise feel on road, it gives the Conquest as much off-road ability as its front tyres can handle. Even the ESP stability control and ASR traction control have been altered to cater for a little light off trail use. Dark headlight covers and 16-inch alloy wheels are complemented by black graphite bumpers and robust sill guards. Inside, there are rubber mats, blood orange seta belts and orange graphics. Otherwise, it’s much as you’d find in any other Scenic. Aside from the fiddly electronic handbrake, that’s largely good news. There are no plans to offer the Conquest in Grand Scenic guise. Before you write the Scenic Conquest off as a poseur’s plaything, consider this. It’s based loosely on the best-selling Dynamique trim level of the standard Scenic but tacks £550 onto the price. Given that it also includes rear parking proximity sensors, the ESP stability control program and a set of roof bars, that seems fair value for money as together these would tot up to well over £700. Having been saved a couple of times by ESP, I can also give that particular fitment a hearty recommendation, especially on a vehicle that will often be used to cart the sprogs around. Prices start at £17,215 for the 1.6-litre petrol. You’ll need £18,305 for the 106bhp diesel model, with the range-topping 130bhp oil burner costing £19,405. Equipment levels are relatively generous and include staples such as the sliding rear seats that can be folded or completely removed, rear aircraft-style tray tables and underfloor storage. Renault offer a range of bespoke accessories as well including an interior bike rack, a compartmentalised boot box and a sliding centre storage unit. If you really want to go to town, you can even specify a panoramic glass sunroof. If there’s one thing we can take for granted, it’s that where the Scenic Conquest treads many more will follow. I expect this to be a growing market sector and as more copycats jump onto the bandwagon, the demand for the ‘original’ will remain strong, reflected in healthy used valuations. Of course, I could be completely wrong and the Scenic Conquest could turn into an evolutionary dead end but I’d be prepared to bet that three years down the road, the Conquest will beat the residuals of standard Scenic models by an appreciable margin. All the engines are relatively economical. Opt for the 1.9-litre diesel and you can expect to see 47.1mpg while the 1.5-litre diesel achieves an impressive 54.3mpg showing. You won’t get anywhere near these figures if you’re hauling family and gear around but they indicate that up against broadly similar rivals, the Scenic Conquest is one of the more fuel efficient choices around. Insurance is reasonably priced too with the Conquest hardly being the first port of call for tyre smoking youngsters. Finance is also considerably more affordable than a Land Rover Freelander or a Toyota RAV4 which both retail at many thousands of pounds more. It would be easy to write the Renault Scenic Conquest off as a rather contrived impostor, inexpensively developed to cash in on the growth in sales of compact 4x4s. While there is an element of truth here, insofar as Renault has arrived at the platform to see that gravy train disappearing over the horizon, their hurriedly conceived alternative actually has a lot to be said for it. Take almost any compact 4x4 off road and it’s going to get stuck pretty quickly. It’ll either do that or clout its front spoiler and scuff its alloy wheels. Armed with this knowledge, people tend not to subject a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CR-V to anything more arduous than a gravel drive. If that’s the case, why bother in the first place? The Scenic Conquest will do the job equally well at a huge saving. Overkill is so last season. ‘Just enough’ is a smarter alternative.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Scenic Conquest range PRICES: £17,215-£19,405 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 6E- 8E CO2 EMISSIONS: 138-182g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.9dCi 130] 0-60mph 9.8s / Max Speed118mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.9dCi 130] (urban) 38.2mpg / (extra urban) 53.3mpg / (combined) 47.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4259/2087/1641mm

PROTECTION WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG The Renault Scenic 1.4 Range Offers Five-Star NCAP Safety Provision For Your Family Without A Big Bill. Andy Enright Reports

There are quite a few key criteria to tick off when selecting a mini-MPV and Renault think they’ve got them all covered. Safety is the key issue, customers prioritising crash protection for their families and the Scenic boasts a full five-star Euro-NCAP crash test result. Next up is practicality and Renault score here too, with years of experience producing this sort of vehicle. The final driver is running costs. The 1.4-litre version of the latest entry-level Scenic that we examine here not only wears a distinctly friendly sticker price but scores big in terms of fuel economy, insurance bills and spares costs. No wonder Renault have such high hopes for this model.

Safety first. The EuroNCAP tests are in many ways the Gold Standard of all safety examinations and the Scenic has come out way ahead of the rest, notching 34.12 out of a possible 37 points. To equal the result of the Megane hatch while taking account of differences in its weight and layout, the structure of the Scenic was strengthened in three strategic areas. The front pillars were made larger to ensure the transfer of longitudinal loads into the door beams and the sill sections. An anti-rotation system was also added to the pillar to limit any risk of the front door separating during an impact. Finally, the stiffening of the sill section with additional reinforcement allowed the maximum transfer of load once the wheel contacted the sill. It’s this depth of engineering that can make all the difference in the event of a genuine accident and until fairly recently, this sort of development was too costly for manufacturers to perform. Renault have invested over 100 million Euros into improving safety and yet the Scenic 1.4 that sits pristinely uncrumpled before us starts at just £13,945. This includes front, side and curtain airbags and all seats are fitted with five-point seat belts. The Scenic has been revised in recent times, the biggest alteration being to the styling, Renault giving the car a nip and tuck in order to keep it looking fresh. Xenon-look headlamps, LED rear lights and revised front and rear bumper assemblies give this mini-MPV a sharper, more contemporary look a million miles away from the Teletubby-soft original that took Europe by storm. The interior has been revised too, with better quality trims, and there’s also a different palette of exterior colours and alloy wheel designs. The options list has also swelled to include items such as MP3 stereo compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, front passenger seat height adjustment and front and rear parking sensors.

"It may not be the most exciting mini-MPV but it’s the one that covers all the bases…"

The interior feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, especially when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but it’s not quite as slick as Ford’s diagonally sliding system. Aside from that minor niggle though, there’s very little to fault the Scenic interior. There are storage cubbies in every conceivable nook and cranny as well as some you may need the user manual to find. Even the glovebox is cavernous. With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity has risen by 70-litres to a respectable 410 litres and loading is made simple by a glass tailgate window that opens independently. The 1.4-litre car’s 100bhp engine isn’t the most inspiring powerplant we’ve come across but it does get the job done with a minimum of fuss. Only if you load the Scenic up to the gunwales will it struggle, but under more normal conditions you should be able to average 38mpg. If you can afford another £500 or so, those looking for something a bit peppier can opt for the 1.6-litre models which offer marginally better fuel economy and much better performance figures. The 1.4-litre will get to 60mph in 14.5 seconds and top out at a fairly academic 114mph, which will be plenty quick enough for most target customers. Ride quality is possibly the best in class with the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways. Even on the optional seventeen-inch wheels, bump and thump through the suspension remains very muted. There is a trade off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus C-MAX and the Honda FR-V more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car like. Three trim levels are offered, starting with the entry-level Authentique at £13,945. Then there’s the well equipped Expression which tacks just over £1,000 onto the price and the Dynamique, a car with vaguely sporting pretensions, topping off the range at up to £15,745. Each is well equipped and the Scenic’s equipment levels need to be taken into account when pricing the car against rivals from Ford and Volkswagen. Although it may not major on excitement when it comes to offering what mini-MPV buyers really want, the Renault Scenic 1.4-litre range looks to have the bases covered.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Scenic 1.4 range PRICES: £13,945-£15,745 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4E CO2 EMISSIONS: 173g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 114mph / 0-60mph 14.5s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 29.1mpg / (extra urban) 47.1mpg / (combined) 38.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4259/2087/1621mm

SAFETY FIRST Andy Enright checks out Renault’s Scenic in 1.6-litre petrol guise

There’s little doubt that in this most family-oriented of market sectors, safety sells. Renault hasn’t been slow to recognise this fact and the latest Scenic model has replicated the five-star Euro NCP test result of its sibling, the Megane. To equal the result of the Megane hatch while taking account of differences in its weight and layout, the structure of the Scenic was strengthened in a number of strategic areas.

It’s this depth of engineering that can make all the difference in the event of a genuine accident and until fairly recently, this sort of development was too costly for manufacturers to perform. Renault have invested over 100 million Euros into improving safety and yet the Scenic 1.6 that sits pristinely uncrumpled before us starts at just £15,515. This includes front, side and curtain airbags and all seats are fitted with five-point seat belts. The 111bhp 1.6-litre engine is probably the smoothest in the petrol line up, slotting between the 98bhp 1.4-litre unit and the 136bhp 2.0-litre powerplant. Four mainstream trim levels are offered, starting with the Authentique and progressing through Dynamique and Expression up to the range-topping £17,765 Privilege; hardly big money for such a multitalented performer. A further option for more adventurous buyers is the Conquest model which offers chunkier mock-4x4 styling. Even if you never have cause to utilise the airbags, the Scenic 1.6 is a car that instils a feel good aura of money well spent. With a three-year warranty and 18,000-mile service intervals, it’s off to a good start. Factor in 37mpg average fuel economy and a modest Group 6 insurance rating and the Scenic 1.6 hammers home the advantage. The final clincher is a residual value that’s a good deal more German than French. The Scenic rides on Megane running gear, offering five seats. A long wheelbase seven-seat Grand Scenic is available for a £1,000 premium but most will settle for the regular model, offering as it does a usefully larger cabin than its predecessor. The wheelbase is up 105mm and the overall length stretches 125mm. It’s a hefty 127mm wider and even stands a good deal taller. Height-wise it’s within a centimetre of the first generation Espace, but it’s a significant degree longer and wider and the cabin is massively more space efficient. How times change. The interior feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, especially when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but it’s not quite as slick as Ford’s diagonally sliding system. Ride quality is possibly the best in class with the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways.

"Renault have proved with the Scenic 1.6 that it is possible to make a safe, economical, stylish and affordable mini-MPV…."

The Scenic has been revised in recent times, the biggest alteration being to the styling, Renault giving the car a nip and tuck in order to keep it looking fresh. Xenon-look headlamps, LED rear lights and revised front and rear bumper assemblies give this mini-MPV a sharper, more contemporary look a million miles away from the Teletubby-soft original that took Europe by storm. The interior has been revised too, with better quality trims, and there’s also a different palette of exterior colours and alloy wheel designs. The options list has also swelled to include items such as MP3 stereo compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, front passenger seat height adjustment and front and rear parking sensors. Ride quality is possibly the best in class with the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways. Even on the optional seventeen-inch wheels, bump and thump through the suspension remains very muted. There is a trade off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus C-MAX and the Honda FR-V more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car like. Emerge from a Scenic 1.6 and even the most pernickety will be confronted with a tiny grumbles list. The stalks are a little fiddly and it’s possible to switch the headlights on when effecting a hasty indication and the centre-mounted instruments aren’t the last word in legibility but that’s about it. Renault have proved with the Scenic 1.6 that it is possible to make a safe, economical, stylish and affordable mini-MPV. It’s bound to create a big impact.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Scenic 1.6-litre range PRICES: £15,515–£17,765 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 172g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 115mph / 0-60mph 12.5s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 30.1mpg / (extra urban) 47.1mpg / (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4259/2087/1621mm

A SCENIC DIVERSION With the dCi150 versions, Renault has made taking the Scenic route even more engaging. Andy Enright reports

It looks benign enough. An inoffensively styled people mover in your rear view mirror. You carry on up the road, check the mirror again and it’s disappeared, only to blow past a fraction of a second later with indecent alacrity. The Renault Scenic dCi150 has a fully stamped up set of family credentials but shows that being in charge of a family doesn’t mean that driving should be a fun-free experience.

This 150bhp diesel engine has been installed as the flagship powerplant for the latest Scenic range. While it doesn’t mean that Renault are going to go chasing the likes of the Vauxhall Zafira VXR or even the SEAT Altea FR 2.0 FSI in the sports compact MPV stakes, it does represent a quick and, most importantly, acceptably economical alternative. Besides, think about this for a moment. If you turned up with an MPV that was on eighteen-inch alloy wheels and was festooned with spoilers, would you really be able to pass it off to your partner as something entirely sensible? Me neither. It would be cue for a lecture about school fees, the annual holiday and credit card bills. A far stealthier way of sneaking in a car that’s capable of some devastating overtaking manoeuvres is to go the diesel route and they don’t come a lot more competent that this Scenic dCi150. The 0-60 time of a gnat’s over 9 seconds doesn’t do justice to the way this common-rail diesel gets its thing on in the midrange, punting the Scenic up the road with some purpose. You’ll have 251lb/ft of torque to play with, which is as much as a Porsche Cayman S. That will certainly help when you’ve got your Scenic loaded to the nines with family and gear and you’re looking at a big hill, saving you the hassle of downchanging and ragging the engine through gritted teeth. Just press and go with this barrel-chested powerplant. If changing gear altogether represents an unacceptable waste of left arm resource, Renault has been good enough to supply a slick-shifting six-speed auto that is smart enough to capitalise on this engine’s torque. The dCi150 engine is only offered in the top two trims, Dynamique at £19,415 and Privilege at £20,415. The six-speed auto adds another £1,000 to those prices although fuel consumption and emissions take a hit. In the manual, you can expect to see 35.3mpg and emit 154g/km of carbon dioxide. Opt for the auto and, fitted with its particulate filter to achieve Euro IV compliance, you’ll eke 32.8 miles from a gallon of fuel and emit 186g/km. The long wheelbase Grand Scenic is also available for a premium of around £1,500 in five or seven-seat guise, but most will settle for the regular Scenic we’re looking at here, offering as it does a usefully larger cabin than its predecessor. Height-wise it’s within a centimetre of the first generation Espace, but it’s a significant degree longer and wider while the cabin is massively more space efficient. How times change.

"Renault is leveraging its MPV experience curve with this latest Scenic"

The cabin feels roomy enough, the clean lines and low dashboard adding to the airy feel. Legroom is especially generous in the back, particularly when the rear seats have slid into their rearmost position. The central seating position in the back can be removed and the remaining two seats repositioned to allow more elbowroom but it’s not quite as slick as Ford’s diagonally sliding system. Aside from that minor niggle though, there’s very little to fault the Scenic interior. There are storage cubbies in every conceivable nook and cranny as well as some you may need the user manual to find. Even the glovebox is cavernous. With the rear seats in position, luggage capacity is a respectable 410 litres and loading is made simple by a glass tailgate window that opens independently. Renault has achieved a full five star Euro-NCAP crash test result for the Scenic. Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard to every variant and all berths are fitted with five-point seat belts. There’s even the option of Sleep-Safe headrests, designed to protect the head and neck of 6-10 year old children in the event of an accident. This dCi150 has been introduced to help capitalise on the Scenic’s mid-life facelift. Xenon-look headlamps, LED rear lights and revised front and rear bumper assemblies give the car a sharper, more contemporary look a million miles away from the Teletubby-soft original that took Europe by storm. The Grand Scenic model has also been revised with a five seat model offered. This neatly solves all of the ‘people or baggage’ quandaries faced by many mini-MPV owners by offering five adult-sized seats and a 501 litre baggage capacity (up from 104 on the seven seat car). There’s even another 32 litres of underfloor storage where the last row of folding seats once went. The interiors have been revised with better quality trims and there’s also a different palette of exterior colours and alloy wheel designs. The options list has also swelled to include items such as MP3 stereo compatibility, a panoramic sunroof, front passenger seat height adjustment and front and rear parking sensors. One area where the Scenic has always excelled is in ride quality and this version is no different, the Scenic making short work of rutted A-roads and poorly surfaced motorways. Even on the optional seventeen-inch wheels, bump and thump through the suspension remains very muted. There is a trade-off when it comes to handling, but Renault have probably judged the ride/handling balance wisely. Those few drivers who feel they need a vaguely sporting mini-MPV will find the Focus S-MAX and the SEAT Altea more to their liking. That said, the driving position is now much more car-like. The Renault Scenic dCi150 is a vehicle for the family buyer who has really done their homework; who wants a quick and capable car that can still do the utilitarian stuff. Have a look round this car and you’ll realise where years of MPV experience have paid off.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Renault Scenic dCi150 range PRICES: £19,435–£21,435 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 10E CO2 EMISSIONS: 154g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 128mph / 0-60mph 9.1s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 35.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side & curtain airbags / seatbelt pre-tensioners / ABS with emergency brake assist WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4259/2087/1621mm