Geneva show: Renault Scenic XMOD not for Oz

RENAULT has unveiled a jacked-up crossover version of its Scenic people-mover ahead of its world debut alongside the Captur mini-SUV at the Geneva motor show next month.

Called the Scenic XMOD, the ruggedised family wagon arrives as part of a range-wide Scenic and Grand Scenic facelift, but remains off the menu for Australia.

The facelift aligns all Scenic variants with the latest Renault design language, comes with more efficient engines and brings in the R-Link infotainment technology that debuted on the new Clio.

Compared with its go-anywhere predecessor – the Scenic RX4 of the early 2000s – the XMOD’s off-road ability is limited by the lack of all-wheel drive.

Clawing back some credibility for the front-drive XMOD is the fact it debuts Renault’s new Extended Grip traction control system, centred around a rotary controller on the unique centre console for selecting three on- and off-road settings.

Road mode is the default setting and automatically activates when travelling faster than 40km/h, Loose Ground mode tailors braking and engine torque to the available grip, and Expert mode takes over braking, enabling the driver to concentrate on accelerator and steering inputs.

Typical crossover visual cues are present and correct, including a raised ride-height, black lower body cladding and wheelarch extensions, silver roof bars and unique tough-looking alloy wheels.

As with the rest of the facelifted Scenic range, the XMOD features LED daytime-running lights and a revised dashboard, with R-Link touchscreen infotainment system and its joystick control taking pride of place.

Top-spec XMOD variants add a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals and gear selector knob, stitched leather and Alcantara upholstery.

Like the five-seat Scenic on which it is based, the XMOD has independently sliding, folding and removable seats, and a 555-litre boot capacity supplemented by more than 70 litres of storage options around the cabin.

A new 96kW Energy TCe 130 turbo-petrol engine is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by a litre per 100 kilometres on the European combined cycle and reduce CO2 output by 15 per cent compared with the equivalent outgoing unit.

Renault says the new Energy engines are designed along the principles of reducing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and running costs while maximising driving enjoyment and reliability.