Renault announces new Grand Scenic pricing

Following its world debut in Geneva last month, Renault has now confirmed UK pricing for the new seven-seat version of its iconic compact MPV, Grand Scénic. Aggressive pricing sees the range cost from £14,995 to £23,695, with the entry-level Extreme 1.6 VVT 110 costing over £1,000 less than today’s equivalent model.

As one would expect given its pioneering status as the first compact MPV range, New Grand Scénic will be the launch platform for several new engines and items of equipment. In terms of powertrains and transmissions, the new seven-seater (no five-seat versions in the UK) will benefit from the 1.4 TCe (Turbo Control Efficiency) 130, 2.0 VVT 140 CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and 2.0 dCi 160 FAP.

The new TCe 130 engine, the third engine in the TCe range after the 100hp and 180hp versions, is a perfect illustration of the expertise Renault has acquired in downsizing. It is available now for New Grand Scénic, and later this year at the launch of New Scénic.

With an aluminium block and single-scroll turbo, this new 1,397cc powerplant boasts the power of a 1.8-litre engine (130hp) and the torque of a 2.0-litre (190Nm). Driving through a six-speed manual gearbox, it is particularly fuel efficient and also respectful of the environment, thanks to combined cycle fuel consumption of 39.8 mpg, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 170g/km. This engine figures among the best in its class in terms of running and maintenance costs. Its timing chain comes with a lifetime warranty and oil change intervals are every 18,000 miles (or every two years).

Also appearing for the first time in a Scénic model is a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Following its recent introduction in the New Mégane Hatch and Coupé ranges, this new transmission eliminates the need for conventional gear changes to provide smooth, stepless performance. Mated to the 2.0 16V petrol engine, in Grand Scénic it offers 140hp at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 195Nm at 3,750 rpm. Thanks to the work of the Renault-Nissan Alliance's engineers, its emissions, fuel consumption and acoustic performance are also among the finest in its class.

New Grand Scénic - Lowest CO2 emitting seven-seat compact MPV
In keeping with Renault’s environmental commitment in its eCO2 programme, unsurprisingly, New Grand Scénic sets out from launch as the CO2 emissions benchmark for the seven-seat compact MPV category. In 1.5 dCi 106 guise, it emits just 135g/km, against key rivals like the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 HDi 16V 110hp EGS at 140g/km and the Volkswagen Touran BlueMotion 1.9 TDi 105PS DPF at 144g/km.

Featuring alongside the latest engine technology developments, are the new integrated Carminat TomTom, Renault’s first rear parking camera and ingenious adaptable headrests for the front two rows of seats, which can be folded on either side to follow the shape of an occupant’s head for added comfort and support on long journeys.

Carminat TomTom: affordable, advanced navigation
Shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show last month in Clio 2009 and New Scénic, Renault has become the first manufacturer to launch an affordable, fully integrated navigation system with Carminat TomTom.

With more than 25 years of experience as a major player in the world of integrated navigation systems, Renault has once again broken new ground with the introduction of an affordable, yet advanced integrated product for £450. To achieve this, Renault has teamed up with TomTom, the world leader in personal navigation solutions. TomTom's experience of removable navigation systems and associated services has been invaluable in meeting both the exacting brief of an original equipment automotive system and the demands of customers. The result is Renault's advanced and modern all-new Carminat TomTom system.

The new system offers a wealth of intrinsic benefits, such as:


user-friendly and ready-to-run as soon as the car is started

very competitive pricing (£450)

easy to read: large 5.8-inch (14.7cm) colour screen integrated in the dashboard. 3D bird view or 2D road-map display, with manual and automatic zoom

reliable navigation incorporating traffic information and alternative routes, speed camera locations, speed limits, a large number of points of interest and a wide range of customisable functions

In addition to the fact that they offer greater protection against theft, integrated systems continue to stand out as the safest option in an accident. They are easy to read, too, thanks in this case to a 5.8-inch (14.7cm) colour screen which is positioned high up on the dashboard to minimise the time the driver's eyes are off the road. The availability of 2D and 3D 'bird view' displays – with or without automatic zoom – make itineraries easy to follow.

The screen itself doubles up as a central multimedia display, including the automatic display of data and information concerning the radio, telephone address books (when combined with Bluetooth), and MP3 player music playlists (albums and song titles) when employed with the TunePoint function.

Vocal navigation instructions are transmitted via the vehicle's own loudspeakers which are in turn controlled by the steering wheel-mounted fingertip remote control. Carminat TomTom comes with a remote control function (or joystick, depending on vehicle) for quick, safe use.

Carminat TomTom, updatable and customisable
Carminat TomTom is easy to update. Maps are stored on a 2Go SD card. By using the card on a computer linked to the internet, customers can access a long list of on-line services. It is then easy to:

update and upgrade the navigation system thanks to free or payable downloads: maps, speed camera locations, points of interest, customisation of certain functions (voice, 3D vehicle icon, colours, etc.)

order maps of other countries on-line (2Go SD cards can also be purchased)

share, correct and save map information using MapShare

pre-trip planning with Google search

obtain e-guides, tuition, etc.

For those owners whose computer does not have an SD card function, Renault even provides a USB-type SD reader.

Renault’s first rear parking camera system
New Grand Scénic has become Renault’s first production car to feature a reversing camera system.

Available on Expression models upwards in the UK, to assist safe parking, the reversing camera displays a view of the zone situated immediately behind the car on the navigation system screen. Meanwhile, the TFT (Thin Flim Technology) screen displays a colour depiction of the car indicating the direction the driver needs to steer as s/he parks. This is overlaid by a second colour illustration, showing the vehicle as it moves. The TFT screen also displays an outline view of New Grand Scénic with nearby obstacles in front of, and behind, the car picked out using colour coding.

New Grand Scenic - UK range structure
The four model range begins with Extreme, offering a well-equipped family car with plentiful space and flexibility from £14,995. Key features on this entry-level version include 4x15W RDS radio with CD MP3, air conditioning, front and rear curtain and front lateral airbags, digital dashboard display, ESP, front electric windows, keyless car with Renault card, TunePoint (for connecting portable music players).

Moving up the range, Expression benefits from a higher specification, focused around convenience and practicality. Among its core features are: automatic parking brake, child minder mirror, electric rear windows, folding passenger seat and the all-new TFT dashboard.

The likely best-seller, Dynamique, includes an even higher level of equipment than the current range, with 16” alloy wheels (17” on dCi 150 and dCi 160 versions), automatic lights and wipers, Bluetooth, cruise control, Hands free keycard, leather steering wheel, Multi-functional TunePoint and speed limiter.

Completing the range, flagship Privilège trim provides luxurious family motoring, adding dual-zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, rear parking sensors and sliding centre storage unit.

As well as its generous standard equipment list, the seven-seat New Grand Scénic range offers ample opportunity to tailor versions to individual tastes through several options:

£500 18” alloy wheels
£400 Dual zone climate control
£450 Carminat TomTom
£100 Adaptable headrests (first and second row)
£900 Leather upholstery (beige/mocha)
£395 Metallic paint
£650 Parking proximity sensors – front and rear, with rear parking camera
£600 Sunroof – electric panoramic

Six comprehensive Option Packs will also be offered, bundling popular items such as parking sensors, electric panoramic sunroof and satellite navigation into simple, cost-effective packages, compared to purchasing the equipment separately. Prices start at £250 for a Convenience Pack (Privilège), rising to £1,950 for Navigation Pack.