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April 09, 2003
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This Week:

• Saturn Unveils Performance-Tuned VUE Red Line

• Jürgen E. Schrempp at the Annual Meeting: DaimlerChrysler Stands by Its Earnings Target for 2003

• Remote Control Steering Available On MINI

• Renault and Volvo Cars strengthen commercial partnership in the Nordic markets

• Toyota Announces New Management System, Appoints Two Americans As Managing Officers

• Topping Ceremony of the TPCA JV Plant Celebrated in Kolín, Czech Republic

• Mercedes-Benz Credit and Mercedes-Benz USA Move to Strengthen Brand with an Integrated Market Approach

• Ford To Open New SGI® Reality Centre® At Its Dunton Design Studio In Essex

• Porsche 911 is the sports car with the most stable value

• Renault SCÉNIC II - Innovative, compact and dynamic Design

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Renault SCÉNIC II - Innovative, compact and dynamic Design

Photo: Renault

Paris - Scénic II's design blends MPV styling with a hatchback-inspired rear treatment. The special care devoted to standard of finish, and the regularity and width of shut-lines, give Scénic II the appearance of a robust vehicle. Carrying across the taut lines of Mégane II Hatch and Sport Hatch, Scénic II displays a modern and expressive style. The use of a front end in tune with the Renault visual identity, and the distinctive treatment of the rear window, signal its membership of the Renault range. The vehicle offers all the features of a grand tourer: wider track, longer wheelbase, and shorter overhangs.

Warm and welcoming, the cabin interior is equipped with a typically MPV dashboard with a centrallymounted instrument panel. This makes it visible to all occupants and helps better share information. The materials used for upholstery and finish reflect Renault's drive for improved quality, notably the generous use of soft slush plastics on the upper surfaces of the dashboard. Finally, the "Touch Design" treatment of the Scénic II controls renders their operation more intuitive and more pleasant to touch. Scénic II continues the principle of the "ŕ la carte" car introduced with Mégane II, allowing the customer to combine an overall colour and trim scheme (Authentique, Expression, Dynamique or Privilčge) with an equipment level (Pack, Confort or Luxe) and a powertrain.

Scénic II: the intelligence of an MPV, the driving pleasure of a saloon

Scénic II is the third vehicle to be unveiled in the Mégane II programme, which will comprise seven models in all. Scénic II is set to give Renault a competitive edge in a segment it pioneered in 1996 and in which it has consistently ranked number one. Scénic II combines the versatility and roominess of an MPV with the driving pleasure of a saloon. Its compact and dynamic design give it a distinctive personality. Scénic II benefits from technical innovations developed by Renault for higher-range models, such as the automatic parking brake and the hands-free Renault Key Card, as well as from the company's expertise in passive safety. To be sold initially in five-seat format, Scénic II will in a few months' time become the only compact MPV in the segment to offer a special seven-seat version, in the same way as Espace in the top of the range.

The smarter MPV

Pioneer of the MPV, Renault brings to Scénic II all its expertise in order to achieve maximum interior space. Thanks to the horizontal form of its roof line, Scénic II gains 26mm of headroom in the front, placing it among the best in the class. In addition, elbowroom is increased by 23mm. With high priority given to back-seat space, Scénic II offers kneeroom of 226mm, which remains the largest in the market. Featuring a windscreen area of 1.45 square metres, unequalled in the segment, Scénic II provides an even more remarkable panoramic view.

Scénic II naturally retains all the versatility offered on Scénic and adds new functions. The main new features are the fascia-mounted gearchange and automatic parking brake (Confort and Luxe equipment levels), for optimum ergonomics and interior layout. The floor space thus freed allows the installation of a new sliding centre console storage feature.

Electrically unlatched, it slides from the dashboard to the back seats for easier sharing between front and rear occupants. In addition, the front passenger seat can now be folded to form a flat, hard-surfaced table. This enables the back-seat passengers to enjoy better visibility, while also making it easy to load long objects. In a further development, the three back seats, when set into their vertical storage position, latch into position automatically without the need for bungee-straps. Finally, Scénic II remains the only compact MPV to be equipped with an opening rear tailgate window.

By treating all free volume as storage space, Scénic II further strengthens its leadership in terms of travelling comfort. The storage spaces in Scénic II are more numerous, notably with the 15-litre sliding centre console storage feature, more accessible, and better divided between the front seats (44 litres) and the back (32 litres), creating a benchmark volume for the segment of 91 litres available in total. Increased in size to 17 litres, the cooled glovebox is the largest in the segment. In addition, four drawers beneath the seats are always accessible, as well as four compartments made possible by the flat floor. According to the position of the back seats, the luggage space varies in volume from 430 to 480 litres (VDA).

Exploiting the advances achieved in Mégane II, Scénic II enjoys high levels of acoustic and thermal comfort. The control of wind noise and engine noise means that Scénic II has excellent sound-deadening. Thanks to the higher-capacity heating and air conditioning components from Mégane II, thermal comfort in Scénic II is class-leading. When it comes to travelling pleasure, the cabin interior provides benchmark interior light thanks to a panoramic sunroof with an area of 1.61 square metres - unique in the segment. At the same time, the fitting of roller sunblinds in the rear doors and an interior communication mirror help to make travelling more sociable. The Renault Card works to the same operating principles as in Mégane II.

Driving to saloon standards

The extended driving position and more vertical steering wheel enhance driving comfort. The gear lever, and the short-stroke controls behind the steering wheel, also contribute to "saloon-style" driving pleasure. The driver benefits from the raised position and superior visibility provided by an MPV, since the eyeheight from the road remains the same as in Scénic. As a world premiere in the compact MPV segment, Scénic II introduces four technical innovations: the bi-xenon headlamps first seen in Espace IV, the hands-free Renault Key Card, the tyre pressure monitoring system and the fuel filler flap with built-in cap. For additional comfort, the model also benefits from the automatic parking brake and parking sensors. Finally, Scénic II offers two navigation systems: Carminat Guidance and Carminat Advanced Navigation System, with colour cartography on wide format screens built into the dashboard.

(April 7, 2003)