Scenic and Grand Scenic have been renewed

Ten years after its arrival in the UK, the Renault Scenic compact MPV will be available in a new form from October this year. This is more a revision of the existing model than a complete reworking, though the 2006 model year range can be identified from a distance thanks to new xenon-look headlights and LED rear lights, a new grille and updated front and rear bumpers.

The interior has been freshened up too, with new trim, and the options list now includes extra tinted windows, front and rear parking sensors and MP3 compatibility for the audio system.

There are also two new engines - a flagship 150bhp 2.0 dCi and the 1.9 dCi 130 which, for the first time in any diesel in the range, is available with automatic transmission.

The Grand Scenic, until now available only with seven seats, can from October be specified with five. The rear floor has been lowered, providing an extra 32 litres, and the result is that with all seats in place the luggage capacity is 501 litres. Remove the back row and that increases to 1928 litres.

Renault has been working hard at its range recently. The Scenic and Grand Scenic join the Espace, Kangoo, Laguna, Megane and Modus in the list of models that have been renewed, while the Clio has of course been completely replaced within the last year. The effect is that no model Renault sold in the UK is the same as it was as recently as March 2005, when the Laguna was updated.