Renault Scénic I

Make	Renault
Years of production	1996 - 2003
Production	2.8 million copies
Class	MPV
Assembly plant (s)	Douai, France
Engines	gasoline  1 390  cm 3 1 598  cm 3 1 783  cm 3 1 998  cm 3 Diesel   F :1 870  cm 3 diesel turbo  F :1 870  cm 3
Engine position	Front transversal
Displacement	from 1,397 to 1,995  cm 3
Maximum power	from 65 to 140  hp
Transmission	Traction / 4 wheel drive
Gearbox	Manual or automatic transmission
Unloaded weight	1250 to 1440 kg
Maximum speed	152 to 203 km / h
Acceleration	0 to 100 km / h in 18.2 to 18.6 s
Bodywork	5 doors
suspensions	MacPherson
Length	4,168 mm
Width	1,719 mm
Height	1,609 mm
wheelbase	2,580 mm
Trunk volume	410 dm 3

The Renault Scénic I  , is the first generation compact minivan of the French manufacturer Renault . Much smaller than its big brother, the Renault Espace , at the origin of the minivan concept. The Megane Scénic I was unveiled in 1991 as a concept car, and officially in 1996 . Based on the technical platform of the Megane sedan appeared a year ago, it also takes the style. Appeared in 1996 with a "good-natured" design, the Megane Scénic was restyled in 1999 to give it a more modern appearance, thanks to a modified grille and new optics . Also note that it is renamed Renault Scénic .

Despite higher prices than the sedan, the success is immediate and exceeds the expectations of the manufacturer, which is obliged to increase its production capacity. The Megane Scenic allows Renault to get out of a period of financial crisis. Named European Car of the Year 1997 , the Mégane Scénic I will be sold to nearly 2.8 million copies.

In 1991 , the Renault Mégane Scénic was unveiled in the form of a concept car presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show . Designated as the family automobile, it has many technological innovations later adopted by Renault series models: optimized use of recyclable materials, ABS coupled to an automatic transmission .

Designed with the aim of seducing families, the livability of the Mégane Scénic I is its strong point. The three rear seats are independent and offer its occupants meal shelves at the back of the front seats and storage under the floor .The trunk of the Megane Scénic is particularly well designed thanks to a cubic and bulky space. Nevertheless, the Megane Scénic is a compact minivan and not a minivan so much that this volume is lower .Based on the technical platform of the Megane sedan appeared a year ago, it also takes the style. The chassis, the JB gearboxes and the "  F engines  " are therefore derived from the Renault 9 and Renault 11 .

By a generalization of Renault 16- valve engines, the engine performance of the Megane Scénic I, as well as their flexibility, are greatly improved. The 1.6-liter, 16- horsepower, 110- hp petrol engine shines with its versatility, while the 1.8-liter, 120- hp, and 2.0-liter, 140- hp versions . The diesel 1.9 dCi 105 L direct injection common rail , again in the Renault range, loses less in performance and simplicity against his predecessor, dTi engine 100  hp  .

Despite a length of 4.17  m , Mégane Scénic does not spare the comfort of its occupants thanks to flexible suspensions. On the other hand, this last point proves to be a defect in case of road use. Falling too much and too quickly on its supports, Scénic generates a significant roll of the body .

In 2000 , Renault presented a Scénic version intended to move on all roads: the Scénic RX4 . It allows families to venture out of tarmac roads without taking too much risk with raised ground clearance and tires for mixed land use. Not being a 4 × 4 strictly speaking, its crossing capabilities are still very limited. Marketed in April 2000 in 2.0 16V, then in dCi from September 2000, the Scénic RX4 did not have the expected success and its production stopped in December 2003.The changes made were only external. The Scénic RX4 is raised by 12  cm and has small bull bars . The wings are enlarged and large side protectors composite materials are emerging. At the rear, he leaves the tailgate for a hinged half-door and an opening rear window. The spare wheel is stowed on this tailgate. On the Pack version, it is protected by a wheel cover  .Mechanical side, the front suspension is reinforced. The torsion bar rear axle was replaced by spring loaded arms and dampers, fixed on a galvanized cradle housed in place of the usual spare wheel. This cradle also accommodates the components specific to the RX4 such as the visco-coupler for the all- wheel drive .