Why 'Euros' winning Renault Scenic E-Tech gets my vote, says RAY MASSEY
- The award-winning Scenic E-Tech by Renault has excelled itself
The award-winning Scenic E-Tech by Renault has excelled itself, winning European Car of the Year 2024.
This week the all-electric crossover — which aims to make EVs 'mainstream' for families — added another gong to its trophy cabinet, earning first place in the EcoCar Electrified Top 50 Awards as well as the title Best Medium SUV.
And consumer magazine WhatCar? says that it's better than a rival Tesla model Y. But does it live up to the billing? I've been driving one to find out.
I first encountered the new Scenic at its global launch in Munich last September, in the presence of legendary French composer Jean-Michel Jarre, who helped create its electric car signature sound.
'It's quite a challenge starting from a blank canvas to create a sound for a car that is otherwise completely silent,' he had told me.
Out in front: The award-winning Renault Scenic E-Tech has excelled itself
The five-seater, fifth-generation Scenic is a far cry from the original multi-purpose vehicle that caused a stir in 1996, also winning European Car of the Year. But it does share its pioneering and practical spirit, cleverly revamped for the 21st century.
The stylish crossover has contemporary good looks, laser-cut wood doors, premium soft fabrics made from recycled materials and limousine-like levels of space in the rear with tinted privacy glass.
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Light floods in from a panoramic glass roof which becomes opaque or clear as required. The fabric-topped dashboard has a 12-inch multi-media screen and 12.3-inch driver display.
Pop-out door handles give a practical flourish and the high boot has an extra underfloor compartment (545 litres to 1,449 litres with folded seats). Prices start from £37,495 for the 170hp Scenic comfort range.
But I drove the more powerful 220hp long-range version in top Iconic trim costing £46,745 (including £1,250 for midnight blue metallic paint) with a range of 269 miles.
Riding on 20-inch wheels with a 87kWh battery, there are four driving modes — Comfort, Eco, Sport and 'Perso' for personalised settings
The fabric-topped dashboard has a 12-inch multi-media screen and 12.3-inch driver display
Riding on 20-inch wheels with a 87kWh battery, there are four driving modes — Comfort, Eco, Sport and 'Perso' for personalised settings.
Comfort suits driving in town, but I preferred Sport for a more engaged ride, with zero to 62mph in 7.9 seconds. Paddle shift gives four levels of regenerative braking and allows one-pedal driving to save the brakes.
The five-seater, fifth-generation Scenic is a far cry from the original multi-purpose vehicle that caused a stir in 1996
Light floods in from a panoramic glass roof which becomes opaque or clear as required
Pop-out door handles give a practical flourish and the high boot has an extra underfloor compartment (545 litres to 1,449 litres with folded seats)
Voice command sat-nav got me safely to Heathrow Airport and there are plenty of safety features and driver aids. These include driver massage seats, hands-free parking, blind-spot recognition, and a Harman Kardon stereo.
I did encounter one glitch when the car was 'downloading' new software. So what did I do? Switch it on and off again, just like my laptop. But overall, a class act.
Alonso debuts his £2m Aston
Aston Martin has revealed the new limited edition Valiant, an F1-derived 200mph supercar priced at £2 million.
Described as track-focused but road-legal, the two-seater British motor has been called 'the champion of pure driving passion', powered by a 745 hp 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
'Champion of pure driving passion': The first customer, Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso, will take the supercar for a spin at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Only 38 are being built to date — all are sold.
The first customer, Aston Martin F1 driver Fernando Alonso who commissioned the Valiant, will take the supercar for a spin at next week's four-day Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Expect zero to 60mph in about 3 seconds.
