Next year's new Renault Scenic is set to rekindle romance in households across Europe according to Renault design boss Laurens Van Den Acker. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, Van Den Acker said: "The MPV's soul needs to be reinvented a little - it's up for reinvention
"Many mini vans are driven by parents who look like they don't love each other - I want them to fall in love again and we hope that the new Scenic will help them do that."
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Although Van Den Acker wouldn't reveal specific design details he did hint that it would follow Renault's current design theme with a bold front grille featuring an oversized Renault diamond and a few more curves than on the current car. Renault is "more Monica Bellucci than Kate Moss" according to Van Den Acker, and he aims to make all Renaults "Sensuous and voluptuous".
"We need to make sure that Renaults are recognised in all markets," he said, "Even in some markets where we have a small market share. That's why you can see the link between our cars in the A segment [Twingo] right the way up to the D segment [not for UK Talisman]."
The new Scenic is also likely to feature Renault's 9-inch portrait-style tablet screen, Multisense control system and 3D tail lights as seen on the new Megane. It's also likely that four-wheel steering will feature to aid manoeuvrability especially around town. And practicality won't be forgotten as a Renault insider promised it'll be full of new and clever features.
The new Scenic is set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March and go on sale in the UK in late 2016 or early 2017.
How do you like Renault's chances of sparking romance among stressed parents with a new comapct MPV? Let us know in the comments below...