IN addition to moving up to third place in the UK sales chart in 2003 with a 7.34 per cent UK market share while wowing the crowds with its new-style Megane range which includes the striking Megane Coupe Cabriolet, Sports Saloon and Sports Tourer, Renault will also continue to impress with its new Scenic.
The four model new Scenic line up has been very well received since its launch last September, starting with Authentique followed by Expression, Dynamique and Privilège in line with the rest of the Renault range.
Every engine in the range is new or upgraded with class-leading fuel-efficiency and emissions levels.
While most manufacturers have only introduced their first compact-MPV models recently, Renault - inventor of the sector with the Mégane Scénic - continues to be a league leader with its successor having boasted more than 200,000 Scénics sold in the UK in its first seven years.
New Scénic continues this success story and springtime will see a longer seven seat Grand Scénic joining the range to complete the Megane line-up.
Prices for New Scénic start at £12,850, with the best-equipped and most powerful version costing £18,050, and, while insurance groups start at an amazing 4E, there is also a new 100bhp 1.5i diesel Scenic available from £14,700.
Continuing the introduction of the totally hands-free Renault Card, the latest Scénic has introduced technology never before seen in the compact-MPV sector, making life easier for its owner thanks to automatic unlocking, locking and ignition.
Like the New Mégane before it, Scénic uses proximity sensors to detect the presence of the Renault Card on the owner's person, whether in a pocket or handbag, and unlocks the required door once the user touches the door handle.
Once inside the user only needs to press the starter button to fire up the engine, again thanks to proximity sensors detecting the presence of the Renault Card.
Fitted as standard on all top-of-the-range Scénic Privilège and a £250 option on all other Scénic versions, Renault is the only manufacturer to offer hands-free access and ignition as standard on its compact-MPV.All New Scénics - except the entry-level Authentique - benefit from the electronic parking brake, which disengages automatically once the system senses the car developing enough torque to pull away.
New Scénic is the latest interpretation of Renault's stunning new design philosophy, most recently seen on the New Mégane Hatch, Sport Hatch and Espace.
Also expected to drive out of the Renault stable this year, along with the Renault Grand Scenic, will be the Clio Renaultsport 182, adding further Va Va Voom to a model range which moved up to fifth in the UK Top 10 with 83,996 sales to record its highest position to date.
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw