Scenic MPV jois the diesel crowd

The Scenic 1.9 dCi Auto’s motor develops 96kW of power and peak torque of 250Nm at a 1600rpm.  It is a common rail turbodiesel meeting Euro four emission regulations. Renault says it can achieve overall fuel consumption of 7.1 litres/100km.

Available only with the four speed automatic, the Scenic diesel sells for $44,990.It has a five-star European crash test rating. Petrol Scenics are being phased out in New Zealand. Standard passive safety features include six airbags, four pre-tensioned seatbelts with load limiters on the front seat belts.  There are anti-intrusion beams in the doors; combined with honeycombed padding and a survival passenger cell with front and rear crumple zones. All head restraints are adjustable.

Active safety kit includes an electronic stability programme (ESP), incorporating understeer control. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) includes electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (BA). The front passenger seat can be folded flat to provide a table top, and the three individual rear seats can be removed separately to provide several different cargo-carrying configurations.

There are four under seat storage drawers and under floor storage areas. A sliding front centre storage console includes armrests. With all five seats in use, the rear luggage area can still be varied from 430 to 480 litres. The rear window can be opened separately from the full hatchback. With the three rear seats removed, the Scenic can carry up to 1840 litres of cargo.

Other features include automatic climate control air conditioning with a chilled glovebox, audio controls on the soft touch steering wheel, lumbar and height adjustment of the driver’s seat which, combined with the height and reach adjustable steering column, can be set up for drivers of all sizes and shapes.

There is tinted glass, rear side window sun blinds, a trip computer, electronic parking brake and practical cloth upholstery. With large windows, there are panoramic views all round.
Light sensitive automatic headlights and rain sensitive automatic wipers are standard. The one box, hatchback design comes with body coloured bumpers and door mirrors and chromed door handles. The mirrors are foldable and heated.

Front foglights are standard, together with rear parking sensors and 16-inch alloy wheels. Anti-roll bar diameters have been increased over the previous model Scenic to provide more body control.

The Scenic has MacPherson strut front and a torsion beam rear suspension with coil springs, similar to that used on the Megane.