How much more range in the updated Renault Scenic E-Tech electric?
The headline figure is for the big-battery version of the Scenic, which now gets an extra 2kWh of energy storage in its nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, raising the range to a very useful 642km. That’s around 20km more than previously. DC fast-charging times have also been trimmed a little; although the peak charging rate remains 150kW, the overall time to go from 15-80 per cent charge has now fallen to 38 minutes. As before, the Scenic E-Tech electric is also available with 22kW AC charging, as well as bi-directional ‘vehicle to load’ (V2L) charging.
What is the range of the smaller-battery Renault Scenic E-Tech electric?
It also gets more range, thanks to a new 67kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with a claimed range of 467km. This one’s also faster to charge, with a 15-80 per cent charge time of 24 minutes thanks to a peak charging power of 165kW.
What other improvements is the Renault Scenic E-Tech getting?
Inside, you’ll find some new cabin trim, including new seat upholstery for Techno-spec models, which features a yarn made from as much as 95 per cent recycled material. There’s also a new dash covering featuring a stitching pattern that resembles a lightning bolt — because, y’know, electric. The Esprit Alpine versions get new trim panels that are generally kinda grey-black, but which reveal other colours inside the paintwork depending on the available light, in an effect called ‘Spectral Titanium.’ Iconic versions also get some small trim updates, including an optional lime wood effect.
What about the outside?
The Renault Scenic’s exterior styling hasn’t changed much this time around, but there are new colour options — Satin Blue Slate and Exo Galaxy Grey — while there are some new 19- and 20-inch alloy designs, and some gloss black exterior trim.
What about new tech?
Oh yes, plenty of that. The Scenic’s active safety systems can now track multiple other vehicles on the road at once, creating a more accurate picture of the traffic flow, and acting accordingly. All of that is shown on the driver's digital display. There’s a predictive eco function that should help save some kWh on a long run, and a new emergency system that brings the Scenic to a safe halt if the driver becomes unresponsive.
It must be getting some AI stuff too…
Yup — Google Gemini AI voice assistant will now be part of the Scenic’s infotainment system, although you can opt out of using it if you’re AI-phobic. To go with Gemini, there’s a new offer from Renault’s ‘Mobilize’ financial services provider which gives owners 2GB of data per month for the first three years of ownership, and there’s a new magnetic wireless phone charger, which is also cooled.
Anything else new?
There are some neat new accessories for the Scenic, including some that help you keep the cabin more tidy, an adjustable boot floor that gives a flat loadspace when the rear seats are folded, an external storage box that clamps on to the optional tow-hook which adds an extra 310 litres of carrying capacity to the Scenic’s standard 545-litre boot, and there’s even a new plug-in espresso machine so that you can enjoy a nice coffee when you stop to charge (and you can avoid the expensive service station stuff).
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