Renault changes lifestyle market

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Renault has given its best-selling Megane range a further sales boost with the Scenic 4x4, a permanent four-wheel-drive model aimed at the lifestyle market.

The bold-looking variant (pictured above) of the mid-range people-mover will go on sale in New Zealand towards the middle of the year for $39,990.

The Megane has been Europe's most popular model range over the past few years.

But the Scenic 4x4 doesn't replace the two-wheel-drive model, which has had moderate success in New Zealand. Both will sit side by side in the Renault line-up.

The new version was designed to utilise the model's popularity as a convenient carry-all while offering the extra grip of four-wheel-drive.

Renault says it's aiming the Scenic 4x4 in New Zealand at a widespread market - from the owners of station wagons and hatchbacks through to heavyweight off-roaders.

The French carmaker has reworked the original Scenic considerably, the front of the new model distinguished by its sculptured bonnet, honeycomb grille and larger headlight housings and the rear by its spare wheel, housed in a special casing and mounted on the rear door.

The rear door in the Scenic 4x4 opens sideways and includes a half hatch. The rear of the two-wheel-drive Scenic is a traditional hatchback.

To resist minor impacts and scratches off-road, the lower body panels are protected by a deep composite belt which extends to the front and rear bumpers.

Inside the Scenic 4x4 retains all the advantages of the standard model - flat floor, high-set driving position, good visibility and versatile use of seating and interior space.

The new model will be powered by a 2.0-litre, 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine producing 102kW at 5500 rpm and 190Nm of pulling power at 3750 rpm. It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, developed jointly with Austrian transmission specialist Steyr Daimler Puch.

Renault had to modify the original Scenic to accommodate the four-wheel-drive system and to make the vehicle stronger for off-road use.

At the front, to avoid having to alter the floor, the engine sub-frame was lowered by 73mm to make room for the propeller shaft.

Similarly at the rear, the floor was changed and the original spare wheel well now houses the jack and wheelbrace.

The four-wheel-drive transmission continually adjusts torque to the front and rear wheels by use of a viscous coupling and electronic traction control unit.

The suspension system has also been strengthened and changed. The front set-up is a slightly reworked MacPherson strut and wishbone design, but the rear is completely different from the front-drive Scenic.

The old four-bar system has been replaced by a fully independent unit using trailing arms, springs and dampers, which provides better suspension travel over poor ground.

All these components are mounted on a detachable galvanised sub-frame which also carries the viscous coupling, the final rear drive and the drive shafts of the four-wheel-drive transmission.

The Scenic 4x4 has a ground clearance of 210mm and rides on 16-inch wheels. It is lavishly appointed (even has a refrigerated drinks holder) and standard safety equipment includes ABS anti-look brakes, four airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and child seats.