Renault Scenic

2001 May: Renault's on again, off again, affair with Australia is on again with the French company back with a bevy of new models.

Right: The Scenic Dynamique has a 2-litre engine (101kW, 188Nm) and front wheel drive. Transmissions are a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic.

Left: The entry model Scenic Expression has a 1.6 litre engine (79kW, 148Nm). Air conditioning, central locking, electric windows & side mirrors, and trip computer are standard.

The Dynamique gets climate control, alloy wheels, some leather trim, and an in-dash CD player. The top of the range Privilege gets posh alloy wheels, central rear seat armrest and an illuminated vanity mirror.

Renault has been one of the leaders in car designs that make efficient use of interior space and, given that parking in European cities and notably in Paris is an art form, Renault makes much of the Scenic's ``monospace'' design.

• station wagon, 5-seats, 4-doors, ABS, airbags
• loa: 4134mm, width: 1719mm, height: 1615mm
• turning radius: 5.35m
• weight: 1250kg - 1320kg (unladen)
• 1598cc, petrol (PULP), 4-cyls, mpfi, 4-valves/cyl, dohc
  • bore: 79.5mm, stroke: 80.5mm, c.r.: 10.0:1
  • power: 79kW at 5750rpm, torque: 148Nm at 3750rpm
• 1998cc, petrol (PULP), 4-cyls, mpfi, 4-valves/cyl, dohc
  • bore: 82.7mm, stroke: 83mm, c.r.: 9.8:1
  • power: 101kW at 5500rpm, torque: 188Nm at 3750rpm
• transmission: 5m/ 4a, front wheel drive
• suspension: MacPherson strut/ trailing arms torsion bars, brakes: disc/ disc
• tyres: 195/60R15, fuel-tank: 60L
• prices: from $26K (1.6), $27.9K (2.), auto' +$2K ($au, 5/2001)
• rivals: Daewoo Tacuma

Left: The RX4, the 4x4 version of the Scenic, at the 2001 Melbourne Motor Show - 4wd.sofcom.com

Go to the RX4 and Renault pages