The Renault Scenic is no more, to be replaced by a rufty-tufty crossover with a raised ride height called the Renault Scenic XMOD.
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But Renault think they have the answer to the problem and are following the lead of partner Nissan – who junked their mainstream cars and replaced them with crossovers (step forward the Qashqai and Juke) – by dumping the Scenic and replacing it with the Scenic XMOD.
The Renault Scenic XMOD isn’t a new car, but the Scenic with a facelift, raised ride height, butch bolt on bits and a nod to 4WD with a new Grip Xtend Traction control system.
The Grip Xtend has three modes, with normal driving undertaken in ‘Road’ mode as a normal traction control system. Turn the rotary knob in to ‘Loose Ground’ and it controls braking and torque to make the most of available grip and in ‘Expert’ mode the Grip Xtend controls braking leaving you to decide how much wellie you want to play with.
At the same time as giving the Scenic XMOD something of the look of the new Clio – and of course the rufty-tufty Clio, the new Renault Captur – Renault is giving the Grand Scenic a similar makeover, although without the butch crossover look and raised ride height.
The Scenic XMOD and facelift for the Grand Scenic will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month and launch in the UK later in 2013.
No price yet for the new crossover XMOD that was the old Scenic, but if the price is right Renault will probably find the XMOD selling better than the Scenic has in recent years.
M1TCH says
I always thought the old RX4 was the most desirable of the scenic range. Seems a sensible move to me!