Like the Megane before it, the Renault Scenic has been reimagined by the French car maker for its move to an all-electric future. Four generations of the Scenic since its introduction in the late nineties took the form of family-oriented MPVs and, while the 2024 Scenic E-Tech Electric is still designed around the needs of a family, it is styled in the vein of a crossover or SUV instead. The production-ready EV made its world debut at the Munich motor show.
A spacious C-segment car
Renault refers to the new Scenic as a C-segment car, and its 4.47-metre length, 1.86-metre width and 1.57-metre height seem to place it between the Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Kona Electric. However, the Scenic has a longer wheelbase than either, at 2.78 metres, which should mean lots of interior space for passengers despite the relatively compact overall footprint.
A glance at the images reveals a flat floor across the back and rear seat backs that split and fold 40:20:40. The boot itself holds 545 litres of luggage, or up to 1,670 litres when the rear seats are tumbled forward. Renault is particularly proud of all the storage solutions dotted around the cabin, including armrests featuring extra space within and built-in smartphone/tablet holders.
Just as importantly, the Scenic has been designed from the start with sustainability to the fore. Every component has been examined with recyclability in mind, and there's much use of secondary materials, too. Interestingly, Renault plans to phase out leather completely by 2025, and there is none in the new Scenic.
Long-range ability
Continuing the sustainability theme, there are no rare-earth elements in the Scenic's electric powertrain. It uses an excited synchronous electric motor available in two different states of tune - 170hp/280Nm or 220hp/300Nm. Renault quotes 0-100km/h times of 9.3- and 8.4 seconds, respectively. There will be two different battery packs to choose from, too. The entry-level 60kWh unit allows for a 420km range, while the headline 620km range is achieved by using an 87kWh battery. Renault quotes a weight of 1,842kg for the Scenic with the larger battery, incidentally.
Four different levels of brake energy regeneration will be selectable by the driver, while recharging at a three-phase AC outlet will be possible at up to 22kW. Using DC rapid chargers, the Scenic can recharge at up to 150kW when the bigger battery is fitted, or 130kW for the smaller option.
Irish launch in 2024
Irish pricing and line-up details have yet to be confirmed for the new Renault Scenic, but it is expected to go on sale in early 2024 to sit alongside the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric and the hybrid-powered Austral and Rafale SUVs. New electric takes on the Renaults 4 and 5 will follow after.