Renault Korea unveiled the Scenic E-Tek (Scenic) for the first time in Korea at the Renault Nouvelle Vague press conference on Wednesday. It is a pure electric vehicle that debuted last year and competes with the Volkswagen ID.4 in the C-segment market. We got a sneak peek at the Renault Seongsu showroom before the car arrives in Korea next year.
Text and photos by Donghyun Seo (dhseo1208@gmail.com)
The Senic's genesis was the Senic Vision concept, which debuted in 2022. Originally one of Renault's internal combustion engine MPVs, it was discontinued and reborn as an all-electric concept. With all-new proportions and details, recycled and eco-friendly materials, and outstanding safety systems, it set the direction for Renault's electric vehicles. The production car debuted in September last year and was recently named '2024 Car of the Year' at the Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland.
The Senic measures 4,470×1,864×1,571 mm in length, width and height. The wheelbase is 2,785 mm. The wheelbase is 20 mm wider than the ID.4, the body length is 115 mm shorter, and the height is 49 mm lower, giving it a more stable stance than the ID.4. The curb weight is 1,850kg (based on the 87㎾h battery specification).
The face is completely different from Renault Korea's previous models in Korea, thanks to the ditching of the 'C' shaped daytime running lights and the introduction of a new family look. The headlamps and daytime running lights emphasise straight lines rather than curves, and the radiator grille pattern blends into the bumper. The result is a stronger, more masculine look than the soft, elegant image.
The side and rear views show the effort to reduce aerodynamic drag. The surfaces of the 20-inch wheels have been flattened, and the door handles are designed to only come out when needed. The rear bumper has a pointed tail at each end. These prevent air flowing over the sides of the body from creating drag at the rear. The rear lamps are transparent. The turn signals are sequential, flowing from the inside out (rear lamps only).
The first thing that catches your eye in the cabin is the display. A 12.3-inch instrument cluster with air vents in the centre is joined by a 12-inch central display. The cool size and quick touch response make it more comfortable to use than the XM3 and QM6. The instrument cluster can display the speedometer in large letters, or it can bring up a map on the centre display.
We also changed the steering wheel. The 3 and 9 o'clock buttons are made of a luxurious piano black panel. On the lower right-hand side, there's also a button to change driving modes. This is a feature usually found on high-performance cars, but it's refreshing to see it on a Renault EV. The gear lever is a column, similar to that of a Mercedes-Benz. The audio volume dial is conventional.
The interior's standout feature is its storage space. Starting with the centre console, it's quite spacious. The wireless smartphone charging pad is raised above it, clearly separating the space. The armrest cover can be removed to reveal a fairly deep compartment with two USB-C type ports. The door pockets on both sides are also surprisingly spacious.
The second-row armrest is also unique. Open the cover and turn the cup holder to reveal a groove to hold your smartphone or tablet PC. It's a great idea for watching videos comfortably on the go. However, if you have a thicker phone case, you might have a hard time keeping it in place.
The roof's 'Solarbay roof' is a luxury feature you wouldn't expect in Senic's class. It works by adjusting the transparency of the glass to block out sunlight. The key is that the transparency can be partially adjusted. According to Renault, it provides 30 millimetres more headroom than a standard mechanical blind and weighs 6 to 8 kilograms less. The glass, 50%, is made from sheet metal or automotive glass waste, which is good for the environment.
Almost every material in the cabin is environmentally friendly. The dashboard's 80% and steering wheel cover's 51% are made from recycled and environmentally friendly materials. The same goes for the door panel storage bins 45% and floor mats 54%. Even the exterior body panels are made from recycled aluminium.
The SENIQ has two powertrains. The base model uses an electric motor with a maximum output of 170 hp and 28.5 kg-m of torque, topped by a 60-kilowatt-hour battery. The 0-62 mph acceleration time is 9.3 seconds. Top speed is tied at 150 kilometres per hour. The range per charge is 430 kilometres on the WLTP.
The most likely model to be launched in Korea is the 87-kilowatt version. Peak power and maximum torque are 218 hp and 30.6 kg-m respectively. The acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.4 seconds. The top speed is 170 kilometres per hour, with a total range of 625 kilometres on the WLTP. A quick calculation based on the battery level and range displayed on the show car's instrument cluster suggests a range of around 530 kilometres.
In person, the Senic is an attractive electric car in many ways, including design, space and comfort. The key is the price. The SENIQ is available locally in three trims: techno, esprit Alpine, and iconic. The techno is priced at £37,495, or about $63,667. The top trim is priced at £45,495 (about $77,250). It's smaller than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it's not cheap. We're curious to see if it will be the car of choice for many consumers in the highly competitive electric car market.