New 2017 Renault Scenic: First pics

2017 Renault Scenic

First official pictures show Renault Scenic set to take cues from crossover SUVs as it battles the Citroen C4 Picasso

Renault is continuing the family car revolution it started with the Kadjar SUV and new Megane hatch on its new Scenic. The brand has clearly taken inspiration from its Kadjar crossover, as the MPV – set to debut at next week’s Geneva Motor Show – gets an SUV-like makeover, with a pumped-up look.

2017 Renault Scenic

The now-familiar oversized badge gives the car the latest Renault family face, while every model comes equipped with 20-inch wheels as standard to provide an elevated stance. There’s also a lower roofline, longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang than on the previous model.

This all adds up to a car that’s less MPV and more family-focused SUV, although the curved windscreen and quarterlight windows at the front certainly set the Scenic apart from the Kadjar. Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker said: “It is a sexier and more modern take on the MPV which carries over the outstanding modularity that has been paramount to the success of the model’s three previous generations.”

Van den Acker has also revealed that there will be more external differences between the five-seat Scenic and seven-seat Grand Scenic. The Scenic, which is based on the same platform as the new Megane, will sit between Renault’s Captur and Kadjar SUVs in terms of overall size and pricing, with the Grand Scenic positioned alongside the company’s upcoming seven-seat flagship SUV. And the Grand will be more upright and practical to fill the void left by the Espace, which is no longer sold in the UK market.

There are no details on the interior yet, but we can expect it to be very similar to the new Megane on which it’s based. There should be a large tablet-style touchscreen on the dashboard. Improving interior quality is expected to be a priority – as it is in the Megane – with Renault chasing the Volkswagen Touran for fit and finish and durability. We’re also likely to see more practical touches and extra storage solutions inside, but the biggest change will be an increase in overall space.

The wider body should allow a roomier and more flexible seating layout, while the Grand Scenic will offer more head and legroom in the third row. Boot space should also increase in the five and seven-seaters.

Powertrains are expected to be shared pretty much wholesale with the Megane, so we will see a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines from launch, with the possibility of a mild hybrid version soon after. Efficiency will be high on the agenda for all models, with an entry-level diesel slashing CO2 emissions below the 100g/km barrier.