Renault Grand Scenic Euro NCAP 5 Stars
Yet another brilliant MPV from Renault, the king of MPVs. High quality materials have been used throughout this seven seater giving the interior a durable feel that should stand up well to the rigours of
transporting a family. One of the better handling MPVs.
Seats fold or can be removed in to a number of configurations and when in 5 seat formation the boot is massive. Renault has made the most of storage space where ever possible, including under floor storage bins.
As with most of the Renault range the Grand Scenic was awarded a maximum five stars by Euro NCAP in its safety tests. Which at the time it was launched this was the best result for that class. Packed with airbags and a long list of standard safety kit the Grand Scenic remains one of the safest vehicles in its class. Driver, passenger and curtain air bags are fitted to all models. Security comes in the form of deadlocks, an alarm and an immobiliser.
Four trim levels are on offer, with all but the base models getting air-conditioning as standard. Power steering, ABS, remote central locking, electric heated door mirrors, electric front windows and keyless entry are fitted to all models. Six-speed manual gearboxes
are fitted to the 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol and 1.9 and 2.0 turbodiesel models, the others having five-speeders. All models have electric front windows and remote central locking. There are several option packs available including the Convenience Pack, which includes a sliding centre storage unit, parking sensors and roof bars. The Luxury Pack includes a panoramic sunroof, full leather upholstery and roof bars.
Petrol engines come in the form of a 1.6-litre and a 2.0-litre. There are slightly more diesels on offer, a 1.5, a 130bhp 1.9 and the flagship 2.0-litre turbo diesel. The 1.9 diesel can be specified with a four-speed automatic gearbox, or a six-speed with the 2.0-litre diesel.
Fuel economy and emission leves are respectable, particularly for a large vehicle such as the Grand Scenic. For example the 1.5 diesel (with emissions as low as 143g/km and a VED band C) is capable of nearly 45mpg even in urban driving conditions.
Every new Renault comes with a 3 year warranty package. The first 2 years of unlimited mileage followed by a further year of cover up to 60,000 mileage. In addition there is a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Renault UK also employs the services of the AA to
provide Renault Assistance during the warranty cover (up to 24 months from date of registration). This fully comprehensive roadside assistance package is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
About the manufacturer
Committed to protecting the environment throughout its processes, one of Renault's strengths is its capacity to integrate the environment into every stage of a vehicle project. From the design right through to the end of its life cycle, each new vehicle requires important
environmental decisions to be made, from the choices of materials, the methods of fluid extraction, the dismantling operations for recycling, emissions, fuel consumption and noise levels to list just a few. With mould-breaking innovations such as direct injection
Commonrail diesels and robotised gearboxes, Renault has consistently demonstrated that care for the environment can be compatible with real technical progress.
As alternative fuel sources as still a way off, Renault continues to strives to minimize CO2 emissions from its existing gasoline and diesel engines. They are tackling this from many different angles, including optimized fuel combustion, lightweight vehicle design, and reducing friction between moving parts. Improvements in all these areas help reduce fuel consumption, and thereby CO2 emissions and Renault is a leading manufacturer in this area as highlighted by the fact that in 2005, 25% of all vehicles sold in Europe that emitted less than 120g/km CO2 were Renaults. A lead Renault plan to continue by selling a million cars a year with CO2 emissions under 140g/km by 2008, with a third of these emitting less than 120 grams. Not surprising then that Renault proudly boasts that it already has one of the best vehicle ranges in the world for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Looking to the future and the eventual replacement of petroleum Fuels, Renault has been taking part in ambitious research programs on alternative energies for both the near future with the development of
biomass fuels and battery-electric vehicles, and the longer term with advanced technologies like fuel cells to power electric vehicles. When Renault announced its "Renault Commitment 2009" on February 9,
2006, it confirmed that the group was preparing a broad range of alternative technologies, of which the fuel cell is just one part.
At the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Lyons, France Renault was able to show off the advances it has made in the development of vehicles powered by fuel cells with reformers used to apply hydrogen energy to power a car. This technology directly produces hydrogen on demand and on board the vehicle, solving the problem of very high-pressure or cryogenic storage. Since 2002, Renault and Nuvera Fuel Cells have been working together on this solution by which the reformer, transforms liquid fuel into reformate, a hydrogen-rich gas that can be used to supply the fuel cell. The only by product of this process is water, which is then returned in a closed circuit to the reformer that needs water to operate.
When a vehicle reaches the end of its service life Renault recognises that, as well as being a potential burden on the environment, it is not worthless and still has a value as it contains expensive raw materials
that can be recycled. In line with the requirements of the EC End of Life Vehicle Directive, Renault owners are offered the possibility to dispose of their vehicle, free of charge, via a Renault appointed take back facility. Renault has selected Cartakeback.com Ltd to provide
free take back to last owners of vehicles of the Renault, Alpine and Dacia brands. All take back and treatment facilities operate in conformity with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) requirements. Vehicles will be treated to meet the recycling and recovery target of 85 percent by weight from 2006 as set by the End of Life Vehicle Directive.