Renault chief designer Lauren's van den Acker says the new Renault Scenic is the last chance for the firm to make a sales success in the MPV sector.
The new car, launched at the Geneva motor show, combines elements of SUV styling in an MPV format.
Renault Scenic unveiled in Geneva
“If we can't sell a beautiful, sexy car with 20-inch wheels as standard, then I don't know what will work," said van den Acker.
“If any car has a chance in the MPV sector then this surely is it. It brings some life and joy to the sector. If we'd unveiled a standard minivan we'd be dead. Now we have a great opportunity.
“We need to work harder than our opposition to stand out - and the Scenic demonstrates that."
The Scenic has the same 20in wheel diameter regardless of model. The tyre is narrower than average, but its big diameter provides a decent footprint, as does the tyre’s design, which has been developed by Michelin and Continental.
Apart from obviating the need to develop different chassis set-ups for different wheels, this one-size-fits-all approach allows the styling to be optimised around that wheel size, while the narrowness reduces drag and rolling resistance. The tyre has also be developed to provide a good ride. Most noticeable, though, is the Scenic’s sexier styling, which may well win back some sales.
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