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Weekend roadtest : Renault Grand Scenic 130
publication date: Oct 15, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
The highly sophisticated Renault Grand Scenic has been given a further boost.
One of the latest diesel engines currently in production is now fitted
together with a stop & start ignition system to eek out the economy as far
as possible while also trimming exhaust emissions.This improvement has come about without sacrificing any sophistication
or suffering a drop in performance. |  | In fact, with the diesel engine and stop
start it has lifted economy to almost 41mpg as I discovered on test.
The 130ps engine is good for a 1.6 capacity because what it lacks in
outright power it compensates with capability as a good mid-range performer,
particularly when laden with people or other items.
Much of that ability is thanks to the six-speed manual gearbox but its
neat selection was spoiled on the test car by a particularly heavy and abrupt
clutch, which I never experienced in earlier Scenic models and I suspect may be
due to the new stop & start technology. To work, the system cuts outs once
the vehicle becomes stationary and simply putting pressure on the clutch will
restart it. This also seems to have a
long travel action even after the biting point is reached, so it's not a
particularly comfortable feature of the Grand Scenic when driving in heavy
traffic.
Brakes are, by contrast, very progressive and work easily and
reassuringly and you have an electric parking switch instead of a conventional
handbrake. The steering is fairly well weighed between assistance and ability,
so it turns quickly and compactly without being too light or having any
vibration.
Secondary switches are mostly on stalks either side of the column or on
buttons on the wheel-spokes and they work well although they may at first be
confusing to use.
Dials are really a screen directly infront of the driver and clear in
all light conditions but some may appreciate a larger display for the fuel, for
instance.
The test car was the Bose edition with a highly refined and powerful
sound system throughtout and mobile compatibility for music players to
integrate. It also had the very latest TomTom navigation system which is easy
to programme and very clearly displayed.
As well as the
Bose audio system, which is specifically tailored for Scénic and Grand Scénic
models to ensure optimal acoustic performance, the Bose Pack also includes a
range of black interior and exterior touches.
On the outside,
these include striking 17-inch black Schuss alloy wheels, gloss black door
mirrors and bespoke Bose® badges on the front wheel arches. While on the
inside, the contemporary look continues with high gloss piano black finishes to
the dashboard, stereo surround and air vents, plus the door sills also bear the
Bose logo.
Heating and ventilation is good, the controls straightforward and it
worked well backed up by powered windows and optional big sunroof with a second
behind over the back seats. Oddments room is good in the front and rest of the
cabin with recesses, pockets and trays.
The seats provide good location and comfort, have a lot of adjustment
space on the front pair and leg and headroom is very good in the front and
middle row but its more restricted in the rearmost pair. These fold easily and
conveniently flat to significantly increase the loadspace from 208 litres to
1863 litres.
A low rear floor and high opening tailgate make it easy to load luggage
or other items, the passenger doors open wide and access is good. Room is very
good for four, a little tighter if the middle seat is used in the central row
but legroom is very short in the rearmost pair of seats. Head room is good, however, even in the back.
|  | Visibility is clear all round but the reversing sensors are very useful
for shorter drivers if pricey at £310. Wipers and lights are very effective.
Noise levels are low with the most noticeable being road rumbles over
poor surfaces. Under stress the engine is still very composed, even calm, and
it delivers good responses.
The ride comfort is probably the best feature of the Grand Scenic. While
you can hear all manner of things passing under the wheels, the suspension does
a really good job of soaking up the worst of them so the occupants have a
surprisingly smooth passage. | Even so, the body roll is minimal but the handling tends towards being
slightly woolly and tight turns will see the Grand Scenic running wide unless
you ease off the throttle.
The reasonable performance included fairly good economy, but I was
no-where near the indicated 64mpg overall, some 30pc less in fact. This is not
unusual or peculiar to Renault as the latest EU test requirements are
completely unrealistic and practically worthless as a reference.
That is not to decry the Grand Scenic. Renault was among the earliest to
introduce the modern MPV into Europe, after Mitsubishi, and their experience is
shown to good effect in the latest model.
It does everything a family could want of an MPV but it does so with
exceptional comfort, with a lot of refinement and at a price which is
manageable for many. | | |
| Fact file: | | Renault Grand Scenic dCi 130 Stop & Start £23,700
| Insurance: 20
| Mechanical: 1598cc 4cyl 130bhp, 6sp
| Emissions: 115gkm, BIK 13pc | | Performance: 121mph, 0-62mph 11.1sec,
41mpg | Warranty: 3yrs/ 100k | | |
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