Renault is reviving its historic ‘Scenic’ badge with this all new, all electric ‘E-Tech’ model that’ll arrive in the UK next year.
The old, traditionally-fuelled Scenic was discontinued back in 2019 while the larger Grand Scenic MPV was also dropped from Renault’s range a year later in 2020.
But the popular people carrier is about to make a welcome return to the leasing market thanks to this Renault Scenic E-Tech 100% electric.
It’ll slot into Renault’s ‘E-Tech’ offering alongside the compact ZOE E-Tech and the award-winning Megane E-Tech hatchback, while it’ll also compete with the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Before we get on to how the car looks - which is very decent indeed - the first thing you need to know is that two different powertrains will be up for grabs, in the form of a ‘Standard Range’ model and a ‘High Range’ variant.
The Standard Scenic gets a 60 kWh battery that unlocks a range of up to 260 miles between charges as well as power of 170 hp.
The High Range Scenic, however, utilises a larger 87 kWh battery to provide a range of up to 379 miles between plug-ins as well as power of 220 hp.
To put that 379-mile range into perspective, it eclipses the maximum 328 miles of range available with the VW ID.4, or the 315 miles you can journey in an Ioniq 5.
The High Range Renault Scenic E-Tech should also be capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in 8.4 seconds, which is brisk indeed for a big family load-lugger.
There’s some clever tech incorporated into the Scenic E-Tech’s battery pack, too. It’s a ‘NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) battery that’s ultra compact and also 6% more energy dense than that in the Megane E-Tech electric.
A heat pump is standard, helping to recover heat and energy that would otherwise be wasted, and because the battery is small you get a whopping 545 litres of boot space.
A Renault spokesperson tells us: “Pre-conditioning of the battery happens automatically as the car nears a scheduled charging stop, ensuring it is at the optimal temperature on arrival and helping to cut charge times. As a result, drivers can enjoy 2 hours of range on a motorway - equivalent to approximately 50kWh with a 150kW charge - by charging for just 30 minutes.”
Design wise, the Renault Scenic E-Tech really does look the part. A huge ‘Solarbay’ panoramic roof is available, ‘creating an adaptable space perfect for modern families’, says Renault. It’s long, wide and high, yet the Scenic E-Tech also manages to look sporty and purposeful.
The cabin is plush, coming with massage seats, ambient lighting and a 12-inch vertical display in the middle of the console.
The sounds the Scenic makes to warn pedestrians of your imminent arrival, or to welcome you into the cockpit, have even been created by electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre!
The Scenic E-Tech should also be exceptionally safe, boasting more than 30 advanced driver assistance and safety systems (ADAS), including a new tool called ‘Safety Coach’.
A Renault spokesperson explains: “Safety Coach assesses driving behaviour and habits to provide tailored advice on driving style and ADAS use. The system gathers data from the various vehicle sensors and analyses key factors such as acceleration, distance from other vehicles, speed limit awareness, and more. Of particular use to young drivers, the system can help to develop good driving habits that improve the safety of all occupants.”
Meanwhile the Renault Scenic E-Tech has also been built with sustainability at the forefront of minds - 24% of the new model’s materials are recycled, and 90% of its mass is recyclable.
There’s no word yet on price, but we’ll bring you those details as and when they arrive.
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