Renault Launch All-New Renault Grand Scenic

Back in March this year, Renault took the wraps off the All-New Scénic at the Geneva Motor Show; and the striking, new-sized compact MPV with 20" wheels as the standard fitment was a big hit. 

Now the turn of the new Grand Scénic to join the Scénic party. 

The All-New Grand Scénic is a family vehicle par excellence that comes with either five or seven seats, a new and fluid design, travelling comfort, lots of space, an updated engine, and a comprehensive suite of driver aids and new technology, and both the Scénic and Grand Scénic are available to order now for delivery towards the end of the year.

A fluid and elegant silhouette

When you first look at the new Grand Scénic, the first two words that spring to mind (apart from "Wow!") are 'elegance' and 'fluidity'.

Sculptured rather than just plain created, the elegantly sculptured sides frame the longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang to give an impressive silhouette, while the fixed, panoramic glass roof, practical matt-finish aluminium roof bars and Metal Grey diffuser hint at a ruggedness and determination to get a job done.

A launch colour – Vision Brown – is specific to the new Grand Scénic; and with first impressions counting, from the second equipment level up, either as an option or a standard feature on some higher-end versions, a two-tone livery is available, the colour of the door mirror housings and windscreen pillars  co-ordinating with that of the Black or Grey roof.

And that's without mentioning the stand-out 20" wheels that are standard right across the range - a first in the industry in the sector.

20" wheels for all versions

It may seem unusual to highlight wheels when it comes to a car description in a blog article, but Renault have taken it upon themselves to state that "the most groundbreaking feature of the new Scénic’s design (probably) is the fitment of 20" wheels as standard across the range."

And in all honesty, as you look at the images that we feature here, you can start to understand their excitement. Not only are the wheel narrower (at 195mm) and larger but they ensure that they work in perfect tandem with the tyres to offer a level of ride comfort that is amongst the market’s very best  - a technological and styling innovation. 

It is a bold design choice was a key guiding principle behind the project from the start, the large wheels making an active contribution to the car’s balanced proportions, and there is the added advantage (or 'incentive' if that's your particular attraction) of being able to be customised with a comprehensive choice of rims and inserts - or ‘add-ons’ - that have been devised to work with the car to help keep weight at an optimum level and to streamline the car’s aerodynamics - ultimately helping to lower fuel consumption. 

The unique size of the wheels (195/55 R20), and the fitting of specifically developed tyres leads to lower energy consumption, enhanced aerodynamic efficiency too, and class-leading rolling resistance too!

Travelling comfort for up to seven occupants

The new Grand Scénic can be specified with either five or seven seats for passenger comfort in the occupant-friendly comfortable, judiciously-designed modular cabin with its long list of ingenious solutions and equipment.

At the front, the structure of the front seats is similar to those of the new Espace with eight-way power adjustment (including lumber adjustment) and heated seats available for the higher-end versions.

In the second row, we find independently sliding 60/40-split seats for all versions, with the third row in the seven-seat version again similar to the new Espace.

On certain levels and models, there is the One Touch Folding Seats function that enables the rear seats to fold automatically to achieve a flat floor (and therefore maximum carrying ability), or there is the control fitted in the boot that performs the same function

The Easy Life sliding centre console between the front seats – a hallmark of the Scénic – enables drivers to customise the cabin layout when they want depending on how much space is required to ensure passenger comfort and also loading space where is can help to provide up to 13 litres of additional storage capacity.

When the centre console is in the forward position, it tucks beneath the large portrait-format display to form a single unit, and when it in its rearmost position, the new Grand Scénic boasts a more ‘open plan’ arrangement that can be shared between the driver and the car’s other occupants.

The front part of the console offers a lit stowage area protected by a sliding cover, plus an integrated armrest, underneath which can be found two USB ports, an SD card slot, an audio jack socket and a 12-volt power supply (depending on equipment level). Rear passengers have access to two USB ports, an audio jack socket, a 12V socket and their own dedicated storage space.

The new Grand Scénic is 24cm longer than the new Scénic, and that means more carrying capacity and a bigger boot in comparison with its sibling. With every seat laid down in optimum space mode, the carrying capacity of the five-seat version is 765 litres, which can be extended to 866dm3  VDA with the rear seats pushed fully forward.  There's also four underfloor compartments that have always been particularly appreciated by families.

In the back, the new Grand Scénic is equipped with Easy Life folding tables (standard or optional, depending on market) which are ideal for family use on longer journeys; and there you find the equipment to attach electronic tablets of different sizes. When folded, there is a small storage area that can accommodate a mobile phone, a gaming console or even child-friendly equipment such as crayons. 

To continue the family-focused equipment inside the new Grand Scénic there is a luggage cover and sunblinds for rear passengers, either as standard equipment or available as an option, depending on which version is being driven.

Advanced safety technology 

The new Grand Scénic features all of the major driving aids on the market that can also be found in the new Espace, the Talisman and the All-New Mégane. And all of these Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be accessed and activated via the R-LINK 2 tablet.

This technology includes:

• Active Emergency Braking (AEBS) with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) 
• Fatigue detection warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Safe Distance Warning (SDW)
• Traffic Sign Recognition with Over Speed Prevention (TSR with OSP)
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
• Reversing camera
• Automatic dipped and main beam headlights (AHL)
• Front, rear and side parking sensors
• Easy Park Assist (hands-free parking)

A choice of seven powertrains

The new Grand Scénic is available with a choice of five diesel powerplants – including an electrified Hybrid Assist engine – and two petrol engines.  

Hybrid Assist is made up of an electric generator and a 48-volt battery and helps to recover deceleration energy, enabling the electric motor to help the internal combustion engine achieve a more responsive performance and lower fuel consumption.

Available engines:

• Energy dCi 110 Diesel engine with a manual six-speed gearbox 
• dCi 110 Hybrid Assist Diesel engine with a manual six-speed gearbox
• Energy dCi 110 EDC Diesel engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch EDC transmission
• Energy dCi 130 Diesel engine with a six-speed manual gearbox
• Energy dCi 160 EDC Diesel engine with a six-speed dual-clutch EDC transmission
• Energy TCe 115 Petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox
• Energy TCe 130 Petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox

Technology 

At the higher range of new Grand Scenic we find a piece of standard equipment that you will wonder how you ever did without. The 8.7" R-LINK 2 multimedia tablet with portrait-format display is unique in the compact MPV segment and benefits from an easy-to-use capacitive ‘pinch & zoom’ screen, much like that of a smartphone or tablet computer.

R-LINK 2 includes voice recognition for the navigation system, telephone use, apps and radio, ensuring easy access and safe operation of its various functions, and is easy to use with clear, intuitive graphics, just like those again on tablets and smartphones, complete with click and-drag to move icons, page scrolling, two-finger zoom, etc. It is easily customisable with a control centre at the heart of activation and deactivation of the majority of functions, including driving aids and climate control management, and a connectivity package that includes a free 12-month subscription to TomTom Traffic, access to the R-LINK Store’s catalogue of motoring-related apps and up-to-date European maps (depending on market).

Other pieces of technology to be found in the new Renault Grand Scenic include:

• Multisense technology that allows users to personalise their driving experience by modifying the response of the accelerator pedal and engine, adjusting the speed of the gearshifts performed by the EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) automatic transmission and controlling the firmness of the steering and the cabin lighting environment.
• Five different driving settings which are displayed on the R-LINK 2 screen: Neutral, Sport, Comfort, Perso and Eco.
• Five interior lighting ambiences - sepia, red, blue, purple and green - that cover the centre console, front and rear door panels (of high-end versions).
• Retractable full-colour head-up display 
• BOSE® Surround Sound audio with thirteen high-powered loudspeakers

Both the Scenic and the Grand Scenic are available to order now for delivery later in the year. Contact one of Nationwide Vehicle Contract's Customer Service Representatives for more details.