Renault is rebooting its Scenic name into an electric SUV.
The nameplate was first used on a popular compact MPV launched in 1996, but disappeared in 2020 due to the falling popularity of people-carriers. The model name was then shelved – until now.
Debuting today at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany, the new Scenic E-Tech isn’t an MPV though, but a pure-electric SUV.
In a similar fashion to the original Scenic and Megane of the mid-1990s, the new Scenic E-Tech is being positioned as a larger, more family-friendly model to the five-door Megane E-Tech hatchback. It has a boxier, more SUV-like look that’s been designed to maximise interior space, and it’ll rival other electric SUVs such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E and the forthcoming Peugeot e-3008.
Inside, the dashboard is of a similar design to the Megane E-Tech’s with a pair of crisp screens, although for the Scenic, there’s a larger 12-inch infotainment screen, again using a Google-based operating system. Renault proudly says no leather is used in the cabin and much of the cabin’s materials, including the dashboard and glass, are recycled.
The Scenic E-Tech uses the same CMF-EV platform as used by the smaller Megane E-Tech and Nissan’s Ariya SUV. Renault is initially offering the Scenic with two battery and motor combinations – a 60kWh battery paired with a 168bhp electric motor, and a larger 87kWh battery with a 217bhp motor. The smaller battery pack will give a claimed EV driving range of 261 miles while the 87kWh should give a 385-mile range.
The Scenic E-Tech will arrive next year with pricing and specification details announced closer to the car’s launch.
