New Renault Scénic: An Intelligent Use of Space

PARIS - September 4, 2006: Renault's new Scénic is geared to enabling Renault to maintain its edge in the compact MPV segment. To ensure that the needs of each individual customer are met, New Scénic introduces the concept of made-to-measure interior space in the form of an exclusive triple offering comprising five-seat Scénic, plus five-seat and seven-seat Grand Scénic.

New Scénic's updated lines include a new front bumper, re-designed headlamps, LED rear lights and new wheels and wheel trims. Five new body colours have also been introduced. All four equipment levels have been revised and new materials have been selected for their durability, while the fit and finish quality of the interior has been further enhanced.

With its generous carrying capacity and modular seat layout,

New Scénic continues to place the emphasis on its forebear’s acclaimed practicality. Meanwhile, in response to demand from family buyers looking for additional boot volume and extra stowage space, Renault has built on the different features that helped forge the success of Scénic and seven-seat Grand Scénic to produce five-seat Grand Scénic. Thanks to the availability of technological features such as range-topping navigation systems, the Renault Hands-Free Card and front and rear parking assist, all three versions of New Scénic deliver unrivalled comfort and ease-of-use.

New Scénic and five-seat and seven-seat Grand Scénic come with a comprehensive choice of powerplants, including four common rail technology diesel engines and four 16-valve petrol engines.

The capacity of the diesel engines extends from 1.5 to 2 litres, with power ranging from 85 to 150hp (63 to 110kW), while the 1.9- and 2.0-litre versions are equipped with a periodic regeneration particulate filter. The four petrol engines, the capacity of which ranges from 1.4 litres to the 2.0 litre turbo, deliver from 100 to 165hp (72 to 120kW). The list of available transmissions is equally extensive, with a choice of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes and two proactive four- and six-speed automatic transmissions. The latter (Type AJ0) is a new gearbox developed within the framework of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. All these powertrains have been engineered to combine driving pleasure and environmental friendliness thanks to CO2 emissions amongst the lowest in their class.

In terms of road-holding and travelling comfort, New Scénic and five- and seven-seat Grand Scénic benefit from the same steering and suspension features that helped define the reputation of their predecessors.

Indeed, driving an MPV has never been so much like being behind the wheel of a touring car, and the electric power steering has evolved to offer even greater precision. New Scénic also provides an outstanding range of active and passive safety equipment, with systems conceived not only to prevent risk situations but also to help the car’s handling in emergency situations and to protect occupants in case of impact. The passive safety equipment that forms Renault’s thirdgeneration System for Restraint and Protection enabled Scénic II to obtain a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating.

Less than three years after the model’s launch in 2003, more than one million Scénic IIs have rolled out of Renault's Douai factory (up to the end of May 2006). Production of the millionth Scénic II coincided with the tenth anniversary of the first generation Scénic (introduced in 1996), the car that created the compact MPV segment.

With an average market share of 19 per cent, the model has effectively topped the compact MPV segment in Western Europe ever since its inception. The launch of Scénic II in 2003 represented a major part of Renault’s profitable growth strategy. Today, Scénic accounts for more than 50 per cent of Mégane range sales in Western Europe.

New Scénic has been conceived to meet two objectives: to maintain Renault's lead in the compact MPV segment in Western Europe and to contribute to the brand’s deployment across the rest of the world.

Renault invested 66 million euros in the development of New Scénic, which is built on the Alliance’s C-platform and produced in Douai, northern France.