Renault has announced a raft of updates and upgrades for its award-winning electric Scenic SUV, although we don't yet have confirmation when (or indeed if) the upgrades are coming to Ireland.
So, what's new?
The first upgrade is an addition to the Scenic's regenerative braking. Already, that system has four levels of regenerative braking for you to choose from, and now there's a fifth layer that gives the Scenic a true 'one-pedal' driving mode as it will bring the car to a complete halt. Renault says that the new system reduced brake pad and disc wear and tear, as well as improved the Scenic's battery energy recuperation, and it can be added to existing Scenics with a free software upgrade, for which you'll have to visit your Renault dealer (again, wait till this has all been confirmed for Ireland - we'll update this piece when we know for certain).
Next up is an update for the charging system, which now adds a bi-directional 11kW AC charging socket, which will also be augmented in the summer with a 22kW bi-directional system, which will allow an 80km top-up in just 30 minutes at a suitable kerbside charging point.
What about the bi-directional bit?
Possibly more importantly, the bi-directional bit means that the Scenic now has a vehicle-to-load system (V2L), which allows it to power other electrical devices or even your house, as it's able to feed back 220 volts at 3.7kW. It means that you can use the Scenic as a buffer for power cuts, or even use it as a storage battery for peak-time usage, saving on your electricity bill - that last trick means using Renault's own in-house Mobilize home charger, together with a Mobilize electricity contract, by The Mobility House (currently only available in France), which exclusively supplies certified carbon-neutral energy and automatically controls bidirectional charging, enabling subscribers to monetise the energy it feeds back into the grid. It's a nice idea, though; hopefully, it comes here soon.
Then there's plug-and-charge functionality, which means that instead of an RFID card or a credit card, you can just use your Scenic. The car's software can now talk directly to a public charging point, and using the Mobilize Charge Pass account, it can automatically start paying for charging as soon as you plug in. Mobilize Charge Pass works at more than 800,000 public charging points in 25 European countries.
Any visible changes?
There are also some interior upgrades for the Scenic. In Esprit Alpine trim, the front seats now come as standard with electric adjustments in six directions, and that's on top of the already present electric lumbar adjustment and heating function. The driver's seat is also equipped with a massage function.
The Iconic version now offers two interior styles with a new textile upholstery (partially bio-sourced recycled plastic). The new look comes as standard with titanium black upholstery accompanied by Alcantara trim on the doors and dashboard, and grey upholstery offered as an option, also incorporating decorative inserts in linden wood. The front seats and rear bench have been redesigned to enhance lateral support. The heated passenger seat is now electrically adjustable, while the driver's seat retains its heating, massage, and electric adjustment functions.
What about the Scenic's in-car tech
The Scenic now gets a new interior monitoring camera mounted on the driver's side windscreen pillar. This keeps an eye on the driver for drowsiness and can trigger the 'Take A Break!' Warning if needs be. It also stores a digital version of the driver's face and can automatically adjust the seat, cabin temperature, and stereo settings to your preferences when you sit in.
The built-in Google-based software for the big touchscreen included phone-to-screen mapping and journey planning, plus automatic re-routing and re-calculation of charging points if you decide to change your route. There's also now a fully connected servicing and maintenance system which gives you updates as to when your Scenic needs a service, allows you to book that through the Renault smartphone app and gives you access to an in-phone car health check.