Renault will re-introduce the Scenic name — made famous by the French carmaker’s small MPV — when it presents a new all-electric family-sized SUV, due to arrive in 2024. Till then, we can picture how it might look thanks to Renault’s images of the Scenic Vision Concept.
The concept, penned by lead designer Gilles Vidal, gives us a three-way insight into how Renaults of the future will look. According to the designer, the exterior of the Scenic Vision represents “more than 90% of how the production car will look”. The concept is also made from 70% recycled materials, while 95% of the whole vehicle can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.
But back to design. While the interior is pure concept car indulgence, the powertrain technology is more a preview of what Renault thinks it could offer commercially post 2030 … and that means a combination of electric and hydrogen power.
Electric and hydrogen: really?
Definitely. But let’s take one step at a time. The Scenic Vision Concept uses a bespoke platform. So far, so good. But when the production car arrives in 2024, it will sit on the CMF-EV system used by the smaller Megane E-Tech Electric and larger Nissan Ariya.
What does that mean? Well, it’ll be fully electric and house batteries up to 90kWh in size; that would equate to a maximum range of over 300 miles on a full charge. At least based on the specs of the Ariya.
But remember, the concept isn’t just intended to reflect what powertrain will be on sale in two years. Rather it gives us an insight into the next decade.
In ‘Renault World’, that means a ‘one-of-a-kind’ hybrid powertrain which will use both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology, delivering drive to a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 215bhp. In simple terms — and very simple terms — it’s a range-extender using a compact hydrogen fuel cell to recharge the car’s battery, instead of a small petrol engine.
Elsewhere on the Arnold Clark newsroom
The best city and family electric cars of 2022
Scotland's biggest ultra-rapid EV charging hub opens
Isn’t that completely new?
It is. Renault has effectively devised what could be labelled a fuel cell vehicle, but one with differently proportioned electric and hydrogen elements. The 40kWh battery is the same as the one used in the short-range version of the Megane E-Tech electric and is positioned beneath the front part of the floor.
Importantly, it holds a much larger charge than the small batteries usually used in fuel cell cars, but crucially it’s around half the size and weight of a battery used in a typical long-range EV on sale in showrooms today.
Significantly, while it can obviously be directly recharged by plugging in at a charging point, it is also supported by a 15kW fuel cell in the rear half of the floor which allows for top-ups away from the charging plugs. The fuel cell itself is fuelled by a high-pressure tank under the bonnet. In turn, this tank is smaller and lighter than in a conventional fuel cell-powered car. That makes it much easier to package. Tipping the scales at 2.5kg, the tank is half the weight of that used to fuel the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai.
But we’re talking hydrogen…
We are. And as we know, at the moment there isn’t a comprehensive hydrogen-filing network which covers the UK and Europe. But it certainly shows the way Renault believes future powertrains could well be fuelled. Renault says a powertrain such as this would deliver a 500-mile range, with only a five-minute stop to refill the hydrogen tank. As for the battery, it wouldn’t need to be charged because the fuel cell can recharge the pack on the move. Clever stuff.
… and re-introducing the Scenic badge
Again, yes, we are. The Scenic name takes us back in time to the nineties when MPVs were at the height of their popularity. When it was first launched in 1996, the Scenic was in essence a smaller five-seat version to its Espace sibling. And it was a massive, surprise hit. So much so, it reality was THE car of the time.
Of course, as we know, the MPV segment has plummeted in recent years, so much so that the Scenic name was taken off sale in the UK in 2020 altogether.
Two years from now when the Scenic name returns it will be linked to a C-segment SUV which Renault claims will be aimed at families and their “changing needs”.
What size will it be?
Compared to a Volkswagen ID.4, it’ll be a little bit shorter, measuring 4490mm in length. That also makes it a tad longer than a Mercedes EQA. The Scenic Vision currently enjoys a wheelbase of 2,835mm, 200mm longer than the combustion-powered Austral SUV which the Scenic will sit next to in the range. What that also confirms is the interior space within the 2024 Scenic will be generous for the car’s external size.
And we have to remember the Scenic Vision is a concept design. Though it follows the traditional two-box design, the concept has been fitted with rear-opening suicide doors and sees the deletion of the B-pillar. Quite whether those will make it to the final product would appear unlikely. And of course, it sits on massive 21-inch aerodynamic wheels.
And what about the futuristic interior?
Pretty impressive, isn’t it. Access to the four-seat interior of the Scenic Vision is done by pressing a touch-sensitive Renault logo panel where the B-pillar should be. Sustainability is what the interior is all about, highlighted by the materials used and the composition of the floor; the latter is made from 100% recycled plastics from food packaging and industrial waste.
Not surprisingly, no leather is used in the cabin, simply due to Renault’s focus on recycled materials. White is the dominant colour, a direct result of the elimination of dyes in the fabrics, which in turn are made entirely from recycled plastics.
Of course, there is colour in the cabin, but this is created by the use of dichroic panelling. Dichroic panelling? Yup. This has the ability to split light into distinct beams of different wavelengths. The result creates a natural rainbow-like pattern of colour that shifts depending on the angle it is viewed from.
The concept SUV also uses facial recognition software which will automatically readjust the seat positions, infotainment preferences, music and more as soon as it identifies the driver and passengers entering the car.
And in place of the now traditional single large central touchscreen, the Scenic Vision features four ‘widget’ style small screens which are totally customisable. There’s also a display in the centre of the steering wheel. In fact, Renault says there are ten ‘widget’ displays dotted around the cabin to control various functions.
