Now I know MPVs aren't particularly sexy and they don't often get your pulses racing but they are important cars. It was Renault who revolutionised family motoring in 1996 when it released it's compact SUV, the Scenic. Renault have shifted over 5 million models over it's 20 year lifespan and changed the car market as a result.
We are currently on the third generation model that was introduced in March 2009 but Renault will be unveiling the fourth generation model at this year's Geneva Motor Show. The new model will draw inspiration from the R-Space Concept (pictured below) which was unveiled in 2011.
The Scenic first came about in 1988 and was the brain child of Patrick Le Quément who was the design director at the time, with the first concept car unveiled at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show. Renault set to pioneer a new way of motoring, giving a fresh view on how family motoring should be and to help achieve this Renault used employee's families to perfect the formula. It was this design and forward thinking that earnt it the European Car of the Year award in 1997.
The scenic went from strength to strength with a redesign in 2003 which gave it's second generation model a 5 star score in EuroNCAP making it the safest vehicle in it's sector. A big plus point for drivers looking to keep their families from harm's way. 2009 saw the introduction of the third generation model which also gained the hallowed 5 star NCAP rating as well as being able to boast the largest storage volume around the cabin (92 litres).
What is next for the Scenic? We will when it is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in days to come... Watch this space...