Renault has introduced its latest innovation in the electric vehicle market, the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric, at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The new model is a family-friendly SUV with a spacious and versatile interior, a long-range, fast charging capability, and a sustainable design.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is the first electric vehicle based on the CMF-EV platform that is designed for larger vehicles. The CMF-EV platform is a modular and scalable architecture that allows for different electric vehicle sizes, shapes, and powertrains. The platform is also shared with the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric and the Nissan Ariya, which are smaller and more compact electric vehicles.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is not a conventional minivan but a crossover SUV that combines a sleek and aerodynamic design with a high driving position and a large panoramic glass roof. The vehicle has a distinctive front grille with LED headlights and daytime running lights, a sculpted hood, and a sloping roofline. The vehicle also has 20-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and a rear spoiler. The vehicle is available in nine colors, including two exclusive ones: E-Blue and E-Red.
The vehicle is 4.47 meters long, 1.86 meters wide, and 1.57 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.79 meters. It has a boot capacity of 545 liters, which can be expanded to 1,607 liters by folding the rear seats. The vehicle also has a sliding rear bench that can be adjusted by up to 16 centimeters to optimize the legroom or the cargo space.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric will be available in two power and battery variants, both using LG nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells that offer higher energy density than the ones used in the Megane E-Tech Electric. The standard range version has a 60 kWh battery pack that provides up to 420 kilometers (260 miles) of WLTP range and a 125 kW (170 hp) electric motor that delivers 280 Nm (206 lb-ft) of torque. The high-range version has an 87 kWh battery pack that enables up to 620 kilometers (385 miles) of WLTP range and a 160 kW (220 hp) electric motor that produces 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque.
Both versions can be charged at up to 22 kW on AC power or up to 130 kW (standard range) or 150 kW (high range) on DC fast charging stations. The battery packs are also modular and can be replaced or repaired individually, according to Renault. The electric motors are separately excited synchronous motors that do not require rare earths, which are scarce and environmentally harmful to mine.
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The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric also boasts many features that enhance its efficiency and comfort, such as:
- A heat pump that optimizes the thermal management of the battery and the cabin, reducing energy consumption by up to 30% in cold weather.
- A pre-conditioning system that prepares the battery for fast charging or heating/cooling the interior before starting the journey, saving up to 15% of energy.
- An Eco mode that reduces energy consumption by up to 12% by limiting the acceleration, the top speed, and the air conditioning.
- A regenerative braking system that recovers up to 80% of the kinetic energy during deceleration or braking, extending the range by up to 10%.
- A coasting function that automatically switches off the motor when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal, allowing the vehicle to glide without using any energy.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric interior is designed to offer a spacious and cozy atmosphere for the passengers, with a flat floor, recycled materials, ambient lighting, and digital displays. The dashboard features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The center console has a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and a rotary knob for selecting the driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, or Custom. The steering wheel has paddle shifters for adjusting the level of regenerative braking: Off, Low, Medium, or High.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric also comes with a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as:
- Adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function that maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and automatically stops and restarts in traffic.
- Lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning that helps the driver stay in the center of the lane and alerts them if they drift out of it.
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert that warns the driver of vehicles in the blind spots or approaching from behind when reversing.
- Traffic sign recognition with speed alerts that detects and displays the speed limits and other road signs and alerts the driver if they exceed them.
- Emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection that applies the brakes automatically if it detects a risk of collision with a vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist.
- Parking assist with a 360-degree camera that helps the driver park the vehicle by displaying a bird’s eye view of the surroundings and steering the vehicle into the parking spot.
The vehicle also has an eCall system that automatically alerts emergency services in case of an accident and provides them with the location and the status of the vehicle and the passengers.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is expected to go on sale in Europe in early 2024, with prices starting from around $40,000 for the standard range version and $50,000 for the high range version. The vehicle will compete with other electric SUVs such as the Volkswagen ID.4, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Kia EV6.
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The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is part of Renault’s ambitious plan to become a leader in electrification and sustainability by 2030. The French automaker aims to have 90% of its sales coming from electric or hybrid vehicles by then and to reduce its carbon footprint by 65%. The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is claimed to be the first more sustainably designed all-electric family vehicle, with up to 80% recycled material for the dashboard structure, no leather upholstery, and reduced use of rare earths.
With its spacious interior, long-range, fast charging, and eco-friendly credentials, the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric could be an attractive option for families looking for a practical and green electric vehicle.
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