History and characteristics of Renault Scenic cars

Renault Scenic - compact minivan (MPV, M-segment), produced by the French company "Renault" from 1996 to the present. Also called Megane Scenic and Grand Scenic (seven-seater). The car is based on the chassis of a compact family car "Megane". In 1997 it became the "European Car of the Year". The body is made in the form of a five-door minivan, the engine is located transversely in the front, the drive is mainly on the front wheels, there is an all-wheel drive model called "Scenic RX4" as of 2016, more than 4.7 million vehicles were produced.

Currently, the main classmates and competitors of the Scenic are the Chevrolet Orlando, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford C-Max, Honda FR-V, Hyundai Matrix, Kia Carens, Mazda 5, Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Nissan Wingroad, Opel Meriva, Opel Zafira, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Roomster, Seat Altea, Toyota Verso and VW Touran.

First generation (1996-2003)

First generation "Megane Scenic" was presented in 1991 as a concept car and production models went on sale in November 1995. Based on the technical platform of the sedan "Megane", which appeared a year earlier. Despite higher prices than the sedan, the minivan becomes very popular, and this exceeded the expectations of the manufacturer, which had to increase production capacity. In just eight years, about 2.8 million first-generation cars were produced. The body length was 4168 mm, width 1719 mm, height 1609 mm, wheelbase 2580 mm and curb weight of 1105-1235 kg. All-wheel drive model "Scenic RX4", which appeared in 2000, was significantly larger in all three dimensions - length 4444 mm, width 1785 mm, height 1730 mm, wheelbase 2624 mm and kerb weight 1560 kg.

From 1996 to 2003, the engine lineup was as follows: 1.4-liter SOHC gasoline engines (1390 cm³, E7J, I4, 74 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K7M, I4, 74/89 hp) and 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F3R, I4, 113 hp), as well as a 1.9-liter diesel engine (1870 cm³, F8Q, 94/98 hp). Since 1999, 1.4-liter DOHC gasoline engines have been installed (1390 cm³, K4J, I4, 94 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, K4M, I4, 109 hp), 1.8 liters (1783 cm³, F4P, I4, 114 hp) and 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, F4R, I4, 137 hp). The diesel engine remained the same, with a capacity of 1.9 liters (1870 cm³, F9Q, 63/79/97/101 hp). The transmission was a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual.

In September 1999, the car underwent a minor frontal restyling, new 16-valve engines were installed, and the taillights were also redesigned. Inside, some improvements were made, such as a storage compartment on the dashboard and a separate opening rear window on the tailgate. Since this restyling, it has been officially called "Renault Scenic", although a small "Megane" badge remained on the tailgate to indicate the car's origins. Production ended in June 2003.

Second generation (2003-2009)

The second generation was launched in June 2003. In April 2004, a seven-seater appeared "Grand Scenic" with a longer wheelbase and a rear overhang that accommodates two small child seats in the larger trunk. Inside, the dashboard design is completely new and the quality of the trim materials has been improved. The exterior dimensions have increased, with the five-seater measuring 4,259 mm in length, 1,811 mm in width, 1,621 mm in height, a 2,685 mm wheelbase and a curb weight of 1,315 kg; the length of the seven-seater was 4493 mm, width 1811 mm, height 1641 mm, wheelbase 2736 mm and unladen weight 1465 kg. In June 2007, a spiritual successor to the all-wheel drive "RX4" appeared under the name "Scenic Conquest". Although it is front-wheel drive only, it has increased ground clearance, body kit and accessories designed for SUVs. All cars were manufactured in France. In total, about 1.3 million cars were produced.

The petrol engines were four-cylinder, 16-valve, 1.4-litre (1390 cm³, 98 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, 115 hp) and 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, naturally aspirated 136 hp, turbocharged 165 hp). Diesel engines were four-cylinder "DCi" with a capacity of 1.5 liters (1461 cm³, 80/100/105 hp) 1.9 liters (1870 cm³, 120/130 hp) and 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, 150 hp). The gearbox was either a five- or six-speed manual, or a four-speed automatic.

As on the model "Megane" it uses cutting-edge proprietary technologies such as a keyless immobilizer "Renault Card" and an automatic parking brake. The car also has folding rear passenger seats, each of which is adjusted and removed separately, a folding front passenger seat with a built-in table, automatic switching of high/low beam headlights, automatic windshield wipers, a mirror for children, as well as front and rear electric windows.

In 2006, the exterior was updated. All external lights became LED, the instrument panel was changed and now has a fully digital electroluminescent display.

Third generation (2009-2016)

In March 2009, the third generation was shown at the Geneva International Motor Show, in May 2009, the five-seater "Scenic" appeared, and the seven-seater "Grand Scenic" appeared in July. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, this became the first best-selling minivan in France. The car's aerodynamics were seriously worked on and the drag coefficient became 0.32. The length of the five-seater car was 4343 mm, width 1844 mm, height 1636 mm, wheelbase 2700 mm and the curb weight of 1395 kg; length of seven-seater "Grand Scenic" was 4559 mm, width 1844 mm, height 1643 mm, wheelbase 2769 mm and unladen weight 1379 kg. Assembly was carried out only in France. Over seven years, about 600 thousand third-generation cars were produced.

The range of petrol engines had the following characteristics: 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, H5Ft, TCe, turbo, 115/130 hp), 1.4 liters (1397 cm³, TCe, turbo, 130 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, 110 hp) and 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 143 hp). Diesel engines were installed four-cylinder turbocharged 1.5 liters (1461 cm³, K9K, DCi, 85/95/105/110 hp), 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, R9M, DCi, 130 hp), 1.9 liters (1870 cm³, F9Q, DCi, 130 hp) and 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, DCi, 150/160 hp). The transmission was a six-speed manual or automatic, as well as a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The car's safety was tested by the European committee "EuroNCAP" and was awarded five stars with a maximum rating of 91% for adult protection, 76% for children and 42% for pedestrian protection.

In 2013, Renault introduced a crossover version of the Scenic, which was called the XMOD. This car had differences such as plastic trim, raised suspension and even different wheels compared to the standard Scenic models.

In March 2013, the model was updated, introducing a new interior and exterior design, as well as driver assistance features.

Fourth generation (2016-present)

The fourth generation of the Scenic was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016. The car is based on the "R-Space" concept (2011 concept car), slightly larger than its predecessor and has some crossover design elements, but it is still a minivan. It is based on the platform "Nissan CMF-C/D", used for "Renault Espace V", "Renault Kadjar", "Renault Koleos II", "Renault Megane IV", "Nissan Pulsar", "Nissan Qashqai" and "Nissan X-Trail" the five-seater vehicle is 4406 mm long, 1865 mm wide, 1653 mm high, has a wheelbase of 2734 mm and a curb weight of 1428 kg; length of seven-seater "Grand Scenic" was 4634 mm, width 1865 mm, height 1660 mm and unladen weight 1430 kg. Production is carried out only in France.

The petrol engine is a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.2-liter (1198 cm³, TCe) with a capacity of 115 and 130 hp. Since 2017, another 1.3-liter gasoline engine has been added (1330 cm³, TCe) with a capacity of 115, 140 and 163 hp. Diesel engines are also four-cylinder with a volume of 1.5 liters (1461 cm³, DCi) with a capacity of 95 and 110 hp, as well as 1.6 liters (1600 cm³, DCi) with a capacity of 130 and 160 hp. Since 2018, a 1.7-liter diesel engine has been added (1749 cm³, BlueDCi) with a capacity of 120 and 150 hp. The gearbox is six-speed manual, as well as six- or seven-speed robotic with a double clutch.

The European committee "Euro NCAP" gave five stars in assessing the safety of the fourth generation Scenic.

There are five levels of trim and equipment for the car: "Life", "Zen", "Business", "Intens" and "Initiale Paris".

Scenic 4, 2016 year, side view

Scenic 4, 2016 year, back view

Scenic 4, 2017 year, interior