Wild new Renault Scenic spied

Text: Tom Philips / Photos: pje

22nd February 2011

The secret new Scenic has been exposed! Renault engineers had managed to keep their R-Space concept under wraps... until now. But our spies have scooped the people carrier just days before it makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

This striking bronze model was snapped during filming for a promotional video. It’s one of two concepts that will grace the Renault stand – the other is the Nissan Juke-rivalling Captur, revealed just a week ago.

The R-Space is the third of six concepts the firm plans to reveal over the coming months – a run that started with the debut of the DeZir sports car at last autumn’s Paris expo. These models are the work of new design chief Laurens van der Acker, and will dictate the look of Renault’s future product line-up.
 
Cues such as the large badge, a grille that narrows towards the car’s front corners and swept-back headlights will all grace the next Clio, Mégane and Scenic. The R-Space previews the latter.

Although it will be toned down considerably before it reaches dealers, it shows how Renault is set to get bolder with its people carriers. Curvy body panels give extra muscle, and the steeply raked windscreen gives a sporty stance. Added flair comes from the dramatic flowing shoulder line.

Designers will also inject a sporty feel into the newcomers’ interiors. In a bid to make the company’s MPVs exciting to drive again – rather than simply vehicles for taking people from A to B – the dashboards will be much more focused. Full details and more clues to the look and engineering of Renault’s future people carriers will be announced at the R-Space’s Geneva launch.