Renault Scénic

Renault Scénic
The Renault Scenic III facelift 2015
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Also called	Renault Mégane Scénic (1996–1999) Renault Grand Scénic (2003–present)
Production	1996–present
Body and chassis
Class	Compact MPV (M)
Body style	5-door MPV
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive

The Renault Scénic is a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) produced by French automaker Renault, the first to be labelled as such in Europe. It is based on the chassis of the Mégane small family car. It became the 1997 European Car of the Year on its launch in late 1996.^[1] The second and third generations have a model called Grand Scénic, which has 7 seats rather than 5.

Scénic I (1996–2003)

Mégane Scénic & Scénic I
1996–1999 Renault Mégane Scénic
Overview
Also called	Beijing Fengjing (BJ6410)
Production	1996–2003
Body and chassis
Related	Renault Mégane I
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L I4 (petrol)[2] 1.4 L 16-valve I4 (petrol)[3] 1.6 L I4 (petrol) 1.6 L 16-valve I4 (petrol) 2.0 L I4 (petrol) 2.0 L 16-valve I4 (petrol)[3] 1.9 L D I4 (diesel) 1.9 L dT I4 (diesel) 1.9 L dTi I4 (diesel) 1.9 L dCi I4 (diesel)[3]
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,580 mm (101.6 in) (Mégane Scénic, Scénic) 2,624 mm (103.3 in) (Scénic RX4)[4]
Length	4,168 mm (164.1 in) (Mégane Scénic, Scénic) 4,444 mm (175.0 in) (Scénic RX4)[4]
Width	1,719 mm (67.7 in) (Mégane Scénic, Scénic) 1,785 mm (70.3 in) (Scénic RX4)[4]
Height	1,609 mm (63.3 in) (Mégane Scénic, Scénic) 1,730 mm (68.1 in) (Scénic RX4)[5]

The Mégane Scénic can be traced back to a concept car designed under the supervision of Anne Asensio, then designer at Renault.

The Scénic was mechanically identical to the Mégane hatchback (itself based on the older R19). The 1.4 L, 1.6 L "Energy", 1.8 L "F-type" petrol and 1.9 L diesel engines were shared with the hatchback range. The Scénic was marketed as a multi-purpose vehicle, in a smaller size lower price of such vehicles as Renault's own Espace. Renault underestimated the market demand that the Scénic would have—predicting that it would be a niche model with only 450 produced a day. Production at the company's Douai plant would eventually peak at nearly 2,500 cars a day.

Facelift

Facelifted Renault Scénic

Along with the Mégane hatchback, the Scénic underwent a minor frontal restyle in 1999 and the newer 16-valve engines introduced. The front end was quite a bit different from the Mégane counterpart, and there were also redesigned rear lights. From the time of this restyle, it became officially known as the Renault Scénic, although a small "Mégane" badge still appeared on the rear door signifying the car's origin. This model was built in Brazil with flexible fuel engines.

The Phase 2 allowed the Scénic to be separate from the Mégane and its predecessor by introducing improvements such as a storage compartment on the dashboard, and a separate opening rear window on the tailgate. Another small improvement with the Scénic were the rear head restraints which were fixed over the back of the seat rather than being upright. This increased rear visibility.

Scénic RX4

2000–2003 Renault Scénic RX4

Renault developed a four-wheel drive derivative of the original Scénic, the Scénic RX4, launched in 2000 in both LHD and RHD format. Featuring a viscous, multi-disc central differential designed by Austrian specialists Steyr Daimler Puch, it offered part-time 4WD. The rear suspension was re-engineered and the suspension was strengthened. The new rear suspension now occupied part of the space that was used for the spare wheel well and led to the spare tyre being placed on the rear hatch. The RX4 rode higher with increased suspension travel and larger wheels. While these changes provided better ground clearance, the RX4 was offered with 2.0 litre petrol and 1.9 dci diesel engines, both already known from the Mégane. Production of the RX4 ceased in 2003, until the arrival of the Scénic Conquest in 2007.

Engines

Scénic II (2003–2009)

Scénic II
Overview
Production	2003–2009
Assembly	Douai, France (Douai Factory)
Body and chassis
Related	Renault Mégane II
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,685 mm (105.7 in) (Scénic)[6] 2,736 mm (107.7 in) (Grand Scénic)[7]
Length	4,259 mm (167.7 in) (Scénic) 4,493 mm (176.9 in) (Grand Scénic)
Width	1,811 mm (71.3 in)[8][9]
Height	1,621 mm (63.8 in) (Scénic)[8] 1,641 mm (64.6 in) (Grand Scénic)[9]

2006–2009 Renault Scénic

Shortly after the launch of the Mégane II, an all-new Scénic was launched. There is also a seven-seater Compact MPV Grand Scénic, with a longer wheelbase and rear overhang, which has two small child-sized seats in the enlarged luggage area.

Renault Scenic Rear

As with the Mégane, the new car employs Renault's new corporate styling cues and much of the technology from other models such as the "Renault Card" keyless immobiliser and an automatic parking brake on certain trim levels. It integrates LEDs on all trims since 2006. As with the Scénic I Phase 2, a raised "Mégane" logo appears on the C-pillar in tribute of the car's origin.

The Scénic II includes folding rear passenger seats with integrated table, a folding front passenger seat (on certain trim levels), automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, 'Child minder' mirror, as well as front and rear electric windows.

Facelift

Like the Mégane a few months earlier, the Scénic II underwent a mild facelift in the latter half of 2006. The redesigned areas included a slightly more pronounced grille section, larger diamond badge, the addition of a "SCENIC" word badge on the bootlid and new wheel designs and interior trim. As with the Mégane, an optional upgrade enabled all the exterior body mouldings to be painted to match the bodywork. As of 2007 the "RENAULT" word badge has been removed.

Renault Scénic Conquest

Scénic Conquest

In 2007 the spiritual successor to the RX4 was revealed in the form of the production-ready Scénic Conquest.

Although powered by two-wheel-drive, the Conquest has a body kit, raised ride height and features accessories usually reserved for SUVs.

Scénic III (2009–present)

Scénic III
Overview
Production	2009–present
Assembly	Douai, France (Douai Factory)
Body and chassis
Related	Renault Mégane III
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in) (Scénic)[10] 2,769 mm (109.0 in) (Grand Scénic)[11]
Length	4,343 mm (171.0 in) (Scénic)[10] 4,559 mm (179.5 in) (Grand Scénic)[11]
Width	1,844 mm (72.6 in)
Height	1,636 mm (64.4 in) (Scénic)[10] 1,643 mm (64.7 in) (Grand Scénic)[11]

The Scénic III was released in July 2009, while the 7 seater 'Grand' version (New Grand Scénic) was released in May 2009. Like the previous Scénic, there is also a seven-seater Compact MPV Grand Scénic. Renault also offers the Grand Scénic as a five-seater in selected countries (e.g.France and the Netherlands) while in other countries (like in the UK) only the seven-seater is available. In 2013, Renault introduced an off-road version of the Scénic, which was called the XMOD. This car has different styling to the normal car. Differences such as plastic cladding, raised suspension and even different wheels to the normal spec Scénic.

Facelift

An updated Scénic and Grand Scénic was released in March 2013, which features a new interior and exterior styling and driver aids.^[12]

Scénic in the UK

UK sales of the Scénic began in May 1997, and for the first two years the Scénic was the only compact MPV sold by a mainstream manufacturer in the UK, however the Vauxhall Zafira, Citroën Xsara Picasso, Fiat Multipla and the Nissan Almera Tino were launched in less than five years.

In 1997, the Mégane Scénic was awarded the 1997 What Car?, Car of the Year.

The Scénic II arrived in British showrooms in September 2003. The Scénic III arrived in British showrooms in May 2009.

Top Gear magazine placed the Scénic XMOD on its list of "The worst cars you can buy right now."^[13]

Recall

Electronic defects have caused Renault to issue two recalls. The first, in 2009, was because of the dashboard could stop functioning, leaving drivers without the ability to gauge their speed, fuel tank, direction indicators or anything as all instruments were totally electronic.^[14] At first drivers had to replace this part at their own expense, but eventually, because of media pressure, Renault UK and Ireland said that they would reimburse customers up to a set limit. No reimburse was implemented by Renault in Finland where several independent workshops launched an affordable-priced fixing of blanked Scénic panels.^[15] The second, in 2010, was because the electric handbrake could sometimes engage on its own while the car was in motion.^[16]

Alternative propulsion

The Cleanova III, presented in the 2005 Geneva Auto Show, is based on a Scénic platform.

See also

• Renault Modus, the mini MPV of the manufacturer
• Renault Espace, the large MPV of the manufacturer

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Renault Scénic.

• Renault Scénic, spec page on the official Renault website
• Renault Scénic Owners Club (UK), UK Web based forum for Scénic owners.
• Stevelitchfield.com, fan site for the Renault Scénic