Test drive by Renault Scenic 2003 - 2009 Minivan

Grands on stage

Yes, with the presentation they delayed this indisputable fact at the sight of Parisian streets. Renault stage II is as often as often as models from the new Megan family, on whose base it is built. It seems that the French people like modern and easily recognizable forms of a compact wen, who replaced the pioneer. No wonder: having borrowed the unusual lines from Megan II, especially the back, scenes II not only retained the continuity of the style. He seemed to have completed a brave design experiment, absorbing all the best.
 
Word and deed
Having studied the press releases, it would not be difficult to load the reader with numbers that demonstrate the indisputable advantage of the novelty over the previous model, is it only necessary? Naturally, the scenop II increased the size of the salon, the space for the rear passengers and in the luggage compartment increased. Its assets appeared record -based windshield and hatch in the roof in this area (in this segment of cars). At the same time, of course, great attention is paid to the functionality of the interior, the abundance of all kinds of drawers, niches and messes. Only the total volume of clothing departments hid in the floor, under the seats and in more familiar places, in the new stage is equal to 91 liters, you will agree, impressive.
 
Built on the nodes and units of Megan II, the compact van at the same time underwent a thorough individual refinement. The car not only increased the base and the settings of pendants have changed. A lot of attention was paid to acoustic comfort, brakes, ergonomics of the driver’s workplace, heating and ventilation and, of course, passive safety. There is almost no doubt that everything is configured and debugged by the most demanding standards. It remains only to make sure this.
 
It is light, spacious and somehow cheerful such a feeling arises at the first glance at the interior of the stage II. The influence of warm pale shades of upholstery materials and a huge two -section glass hatch in the roof is affected. Five full places here without an attempt to pretend to be a seven -seater car. Based on their rich experience and having studied competitors, the French decided not to complicate the well -thought -out structure, initially dividing the scenes into ordinary and grand.
 
On the front seats is convenient and spacious. The novelty of the model is emphasized by a digital combination of devices, which is closer to the center of the panel, as well as the gear lever located on a high console and individual armrests for sitting in front. The highlight is quite expensive to configure the button handbrake on the left side of the driver. At first glance, this is a concession to lovers of electronic games: I pressed the toggle switch slowed down, took advantage of the button next to the path is free. You capture the true essence of the interesting little thing later: it turns out that you can not remove the car from the handbrake at all when touched the parking brake is released automatically.
 
And here is the first comments: a colleague complains about a cramped (gas-carrier) pedal node, but I note a too soft and amorphous back that breathes under the weight of the body. Until they quickly moved back. It really is very spacious here, but, alas, the edge of the hatch hangs over his head, forcing him to bend his neck.
 
In search of optimum
With a 1.6 -liter gasoline engine, the scenes II appears to be a completely rational and peaceful vehicle. On the one hand, nothing outstanding, on the other, even and moment in the nature of the motor is enough for confident movement in space. Only during touching does it require increased revolutions, recalling that the scenes are not a hatchback or even a sedan. By the way, a fashionable combination of devices in motion is not impressive. The electronic speedometer and tachometer violate the usual perception of speed. The latter, I must admit, is almost not felt thanks to good aerodynamics. Only the noise of the motor, breaking through exactly 3500 rpm, recalls the position of the accelerator.
 
Better steel and brakes. I remember that the hatchback Megan II strained a sensitive pedal requiring a very neat circulation. Here everything is much more courageous and dosing the effort is easier.
 
The suspensions are initially encouraged with a rather strict shock on small irregularities. But with the growth of speed, the scenes are becoming more comfortable, while it does not allow itself a hint of vertical buildup.
 
A lot of disputes caused the controllability of the machine. On winding serpentines, the magnificent setting up the chassis causes only admiration, so perfectly the car follows a given trajectory. It seems that he should already slip out, catch the tires that have lost grip. And the scenes know for yourself, he writes an arc, also reacting to the argument of the steering wheel. But idyll is violated by an electric power, as if living an independent life. Then he suddenly loads the steering wheel with a beautiful feedback, then impulsively drops the effort, then trying to restore it to the desired level.
 
I transplant into a two -liter car. There is already a six -speed manual gearbox and a little more Volga in the roof there is no hatch.
When touched by such a motor, of course, it is better, but on this all, it would seem, the undeniable advantages of 136 horses end. It feels like the car did not become noticeably more dynamic. Of course, in some way a two-liter scenes is preferable, but so insignificant that in a short acquaintance this did not play a role.
But the suspension here is much more comfortable, and it will steer differently. I recall the phrase of developers about the individual setting of the steering wheel power power steering for each engine. Well, here it is noticeably more successful and understandable for the driver. Victory? It wasn't there. Carried away by speed, I suddenly fall on the transverse road wave and scenes, who almost conquered comfort, suddenly begins to sway from nose to feed. But the previous hard version swallowed the obstacle, almost not noticing. It seems that there are shortcomings so far both have both. They will probably work on them, especially since the adapted version will most likely appear for Russia.
 
Seven instead of five
The stage with the prefix Grand meets us much more significant and matured outlines. The general style, of course, is preserved here, but an increase in the rear overweight by 183 mm weighted the stern, giving the car a full-size mini-wen.
 
The most interesting interior elements are hidden in the trunk. Yes, these are the same seats of the third row, with one movement of the hand, put forward from the floor of the cargo compartment. Their shape, dimensions and the distance to the back of the second row are not in doubt in the children's affiliation of additional places. The developers do not deny this.
 
The next innovation of Granda is a two -liter gasoline engine with a turbocharged (120 kW/165 hp), alas, is not yet available to us. At the presentation, all cars with 1.9 DCI diesel engines. I can only state that this little thing is easily competed with a vestibous character with 2.0 liters of gasoline. However, the low quality of fuel has not yet been supplied to us. Therefore, sighing with regret, Tarakhim along the proposed winding route. Despite the increased dimensions, Grand confidently passes the serpentines. He, of course, is not as ideal in quick turns as his younger brother, but, unlike the last (at least in version 1.6 liters), pleases with clear reactions to the actions of the driver.
 
In unison handling and settings of pendants. Moderately elastic, moderately comfortable, they confidently cope with most French bumps, actively shaking only on the seams and other small asphalt defects.
 
In their native Fatherland
Renault stage II will appear in Russia in the summer of this year, the Grand is most likely in the fall. About prices can be assumed that they will begin at 17,000 euros. I think the pretty, thoughtful and very saturated with all kinds of innovations of the CD will not be left without the attention of the consumer who appreciates in the car, first of all, a large internal volume and convenience of travel, especially in the company.
 
Sergey Voskresensky. Photo by the author and company Renault
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"