Renault has released details of the revised-for-2012 Scenic compact MPV and its seven-seat Grand Scenic sibling, due for SA release in the second quarter of the year.
Interior trim has been upgraded with new materials and new features, but the most striking change is the Scenic's front treatment, with a squared-off, blocky grille, chunkier front bumpers and low-mounted LED running lights, all in body colour and glossy black with just a touch of chrome.
A second look at the rear, and you'll notice that the tail lights have a sexy new 'tick' outline, underlined by a chromed tailgate strip.
The Grand Scenic's front styling, by contrast, is dominated by horizontal lines, not unlike the current VW design language, lending the bigger Scenic a bit of extra gravitas.
There's new beige fabric trim for the Expression and Privilège models, a very dark grey for the Privilège, and a new extra-cost leather/alcantara upholstery option.
The Scenic and Grand Scenic will be the first Renaults with lane departure warning (a camera detects if the drivers strays out of lane and triggers an audible signal) and an automatic headlight function (the same camera detects the lights of nearby vehicles and/or the presence of street lighting to automatically switch from dipped to main beam, and vice versa).
Standard equipment now also includes hill hold, and 'motorway-mode' indicators that warn other drivers when the driver is about to change lanes by flashing three times with just a slight flick of the indicator stalk.
The 2012 Scenic and Grand Scenic will introduce two new 'Energy' engines, using F1-derived efficiency technologies such as stop/start and brake energy recovery.
The new 81kW Energy dCi 110 diesel engine delivers a claimed 260Nm at 1750rpm, 20Nm more than the 1.5 dCi 110 it replaces, while burning less fuel (4.1 litres per 100km) and spewing less CO2 (105g/km).
The 96kW Energy dCi 130 is quoted at 4.4 litres per 100km (a 20 percent improvement over the 1.9 dCi 130 it replaces) and 114g/km (still under the radar as far as the SA Pollution Police are concerned).
From mid-2012 the Scenic/Grand Scenic line-up will also include an all-new Energy TCe 115 turbopetrol engine for which Renault claims 20 percent lower fuel consumption than the previous 1.6 16V 110, and CO2 emissions of only 135g/km.