Renault Scenic: New canine, previous tips?

We modified every thing however the identify” is the slogan Renault has devised for its all-new, all-electric Scenic mannequin, and, for higher and for worse, that’s a reasonably correct appraisal.

The previous Scenic, initially the Megane Scenic from the Nineteen Nineties, was an ovoid individuals service or “multipurpose automobile”. This new Scenic is a relatively bigger rectilinear affair, styled extra as an SUV, as is the style (a bit confusingly, Renault nonetheless additionally make a Megane, now electrical, constructed on the identical platform because the Scenic however a bit shorter).

The previous Scenics had a spread of petrol and, sure, diesel engines (quaintly sooty as which will really feel now), and the newest Scenic has a alternative of long-range or short-range battery packs. The previous Scenic was, properly, a bit frangible and susceptible to corrosion; and we will need to see how this mannequin copes with the ravages of time. First impressions recommend it needs to be extra sturdy than its forebears.

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So, sure, a break with the previous, and the Scenic takes its place alongside a blizzard of latest Renault fashions occupying roughly the identical type of area within the market, some totally electrical, others hybrid, largely with unfamiliar names – Arkana, Austral, Rafale and, quickly, Symbioz. I feel I most popular it when Renaults glided by numbers – 4, 5, 12, 16, 20… much less of a feat of reminiscence.

Truly, there are few variants of the Scenic itself; the cheaper ones get a 60kWh battery married to a 168bhp, and the costlier variations a a lot larger 87kWh pack and a 215bhp motor. Each have front-wheel drive and can be found in three ranges of trim – Techno, Esprit Alpine and the opulently kitted Iconic.

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Nearly inevitably my press automotive was the highest mannequin, full with some putting 20-inch alloy wheels and one thing known as a “solarbay opacifying panoramic sunroof”. It is a actual speaking level for the Scenic driver. It doesn’t open, however not like a standard glass roof it has no sliding blind – as a substitute by the contact of a change you’ll be able to regulate its transparency (or opacity) and it’s fairly a magical little trick.

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The opposite novelty is what Renault have actually trademarked as their “ingenious armrest” within the again units, a Swiss Military knife-like affair that unfolds to disclose a storage cubby, two USB ports, cup holders, plus a smartphone/pill holder. Very useful.

The cabin usually is completed in top quality supplies, together with some gentle leatheresque coverings for seat and sprint. The touchscreens are crisp and clear, and the tailor-made Google Maps satnav system (you don’t want to make use of your telephone) is sensible, as is the head-up show and voice recognition system for the radio and satnav (and which additionally operates the variable glass sunroof).

The Iconic model with its close to 300-mile vary (in moderately beneficial circumstances) and tools ranges on par with something this aspect of the tremendous luxurious section is pushing £50,000, however you ought not resent the price an excessive amount of. By the best way, perhaps as a result of it’s so new, there aren’t the identical deep reductions you’ll discover on another BEVs, however you must search for about 10 per cent off the listing value.

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Regardless of being a brand new entrant, it’s not essentially the most environment friendly in its class, and all of us have to begin considering extra about that within the electrical age. Individuals are likely to obsess about outright vary, which is vital, however says nothing about effectivity. It’s a bit like shopping for a petrol-powered automotive simply because it has an enormous gasoline tank.

The Scenic will eat about 286 kilowatt hours of battery per mile travelled, which is marginally worse than rivals such because the Tesla Mannequin 2 or a Kia EV6, however it’s superior to a Peugeot E-3008 or Ford Mustang Mach-E.

I haven’t stated a lot about how the Scenic drives as a result of it’s not that memorable, and given its remit that’s no downside. Like all BEVs, the electrical motor offers greater than sufficient urgency from relaxation and it’s all the time quiet, even with the artificial buzzing noise “composed” by Jean-Michel Jarre, no much less.

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It’s a good-looking, relatively imposing automotive with its daring Renault lozenge-themed patterns within the grille, but it surely’s smaller than it seems and virtually useable in city circumstances.

Just like the older Scenics, I’d name it extra of a suburban automotive, with fairly good area. It simply ain’t a multipurpose automobile with all of the promise of journey that that just about now-extinct kind of automotive used to carry.

That’s the one factor, that versatility, that I wouldn’t have modified if I used to be in command of designing the brand new Scenic. Can’t have every thing although, eh, even with a automotive that types itself “iconic”.